His Royal Highness Ezelekhae Ewuare II, Crown Prince of the Benin Kingdom, has declared his full support for the ongoing campaign against cultism in Edo State. However, he has raised serious concerns over the reported harassment of innocent young men by security operatives under the pretext of combating cult-related crimes.
In a strongly worded statement issued on his behalf by his Secretary, Cosmos Oviasuyi, the Crown Prince called on all sons and daughters of the ancient Benin Kingdom to distance themselves from cultism, which he described as a dangerous scourge threatening the cultural and social foundations of the kingdom.
“This is a clarion call to all Benin sons and daughters to shun cultism, which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society and threatens to uproot the foundation of our kingdom,” the statement read.
Prince Ewuare II lamented the impact of cult violence on the kingdom’s historically peaceful and hospitable image, noting that the destructive activities associated with cultism are alien to Benin’s long-standing values of unity and brotherhood.
“Benin Kingdom and its people have a very rich history of brotherliness and hospitality, its reputation in these remains unequalled over the years and centuries,” he said. “It is disheartening that in recent times, this age-long reputation is under threat due to cult-related activities and clashes, which have resulted in the senseless killing of vibrant young men and the destruction of property.”
The Crown Prince emphasized the human toll of these violent activities, pointing out that many young women have become widows, and countless children have been rendered orphans due to the loss of their fathers in cult-related killings.
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He threw his weight behind the state government’s efforts to curb the menace, asserting that “no meaningful development can take place in a place where there is no peace.”
However, the Prince cautioned against the reported excesses of law enforcement agents, particularly the police, in the course of enforcing the government’s stance against cultism.
“There have been complaints from our people on the activities of policemen in the course of implementing the government’s position on the issue of cultism,” he noted. “The alleged harassment by men of the police force against our innocent young ones is becoming a counterproductive strategy.”
While reaffirming his commitment to eradicating cultism, he stressed that innocent citizens should not become collateral damage in the fight. “Even though we are against the activities of cultism and cultists, making them [innocent youths] run away from their homeland because of fear of being harassed is disagreeable,” he said.
The statement is seen as a call for a balanced and rights-respecting approach to law enforcement, as Edo State continues its drive to rid communities of cult-related violence and restore peace and security.