Rescuing Vulnerable Youths In Edo State: CANCEL CULTS Campaign Addressing Strongholds Of Cultism

By Raphael Okhiria

The tight grip of cultism and serious organized crimes have held down countless young people in Edo State, particularly in Oredo and Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas. Tens of thousands of young men have lost their lives due to cult related violence, with thousands more arrested.

In response to these issues, the CANCEL CULTS campaign is addressing cultism and serious organized crimes in Oredo and Ikpoba Okha areas. The program utilizes the CANCEL CULTS Facebook page, radio talk shows, awareness events, school and community engagements, and partnerships with influencers to deliver targeted messages and interventions that are helping to prevent our youth from becoming involved in cultism and serious organized crimes.

School mentorship programmes and sports initiatives further sensitize vulnerable youths to the perils of cultism and offer alternative pathways to success.

The CANCEL CULTS campaign, in collaboration with the government and Civil Society Organizations, aims to create an environment where youths thrive through legitimate means. By urging young people to seize available opportunities, the programme seeks to dismantle the allure of cultism and other criminal activities.

The CANCEL CULTS campaign is part of a wider BRIGHTER FUTURES programme backed by the UK government. The programme has taken significant strides in transforming the lives of vulnerable youths in Ikorodu LGA, Ageronmi Ifelodun LGA, and Ifako Ijaiye LGA.

The Brighter Futures programme provides skills acquisition programmes, community-based initiatives, and mentorship opportunities that empower vulnerable young individuals to build sustainable livelihoods. A notable achievement of the programme is its focus on addressing past trauma and improving self-worth among beneficiaries.

By doing so, Brighter Futures effectively discourages these individuals from becoming pawns in the game of crime, recognizing that a thriving community relies on the well-being of its members.

Williams Ehisogie, head of Edo State Security Network (ESSN) in Idogbo secretariat, Ikpoba- Okha LGA, shared, “The Brighter Futures project introduced valuable skills, such as interacting with organizations mandated for crime prevention. For instance, when we rescued a human trafficking victim in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, I contacted the project team, who connected me with NAPTIP for prosecution—a testament to the effectiveness of collaboration.”

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