I started casting out demons at 17, fighting cultism isn’t new to me — Okpebholo

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has said his involvement in spiritual activities dates back to his teenage years, claiming he started “casting out demons” at the age of 17 or 18.

Okpebholo made the remark while speaking at a church gathering, with a video of his comments circulating online on Tuesday.

The governor said seeing young people gathered in worship reminded him of his own experiences as a teenager.

“When I see young ones standing in the presence of God, I remembered at 17, 18, I’ve also started casting out demons,” Okpebholo said.

He added, “So fighting insecurity, most especially cultism, is not a new thing to me. It’s something that has been happening.”

Okpebholo also recalled the influence of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa while speaking about his Christian background.

The governor’s comments come as his administration continues to grapple with cult-related violence and other security challenges in Edo.

A January 2026 security assessment by the European Union Agency for Asylum, citing ACLED data, recorded 237 security incidents and 212 fatalities in Edo between January 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. The assessment identified criminal activities, cult-related violence and communal conflict among the security concerns in the state.

Cult-related violence has also prompted repeated security operations in Benin City and other parts of the state.

In May 2026, Edo security operatives arrested 12 suspected cultists and sealed two apartments allegedly used as initiation centres during raids under “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers.” The operation followed the killing of a young man near the University of Benin gate.

The security squad said the 12 suspects were allegedly identified as members of different cult groups after operatives found symbols and other materials on them. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police Anti-Cultism Unit for profiling and further investigation.

The state government has repeatedly said it is intensifying efforts to tackle cultism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

Against that backdrop, Okpebholo said his experience with what he described as spiritual battles and cultism began long before his political career.

His comments, however, did not provide details of the circumstances or activities surrounding his claim that he began “casting out demons” as a teenager.