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The Edo State Government has begun a mass demolition of properties linked to suspected cultists and kidnappers in parts of Etsako West Local Government Area.
The operation, codenamed “Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” was led by the Chief Security Officer to the Governor and his Principal Security Officer. It followed renewed clashes that claimed the life of a young barber in South Ibie.
About 20 suspects were arrested and four houses pulled down during the exercise. One of the demolished houses, located on Egbiadokhai Street behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi, belonged to a wanted cultist identified as Too-Believe.
Security operatives said the building served as a meeting point for members of the Black Axe Confraternity. Items recovered included two cut-to-size guns, two Black Axe berets and a sharp axe.
Too-Believe, believed to be a major player in cult activities in the area, is on the run.
Another property on Anoguele Street, South Ibie, linked to an Eiye Confraternity member identified as Kuwat, was also demolished. He was said to have masterminded the killing of the barber but fled before security operatives arrived.
A house in Ogodomiza, Ibie-Nafe, also went down. Two youths, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21), arrested there earlier confessed to being recruited for cybercrime, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
Security agents also raided Hybrid Hotel and Suites, Elele, Uzairue, where several suspects were picked up.
Secretary of the State Security Squad, John Izegaegbe, said the action was in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s earlier warning.
“The Governor gave 166 days’ grace to cultists to renounce, with soft loans and skills training offered. They ignored it. This demolition is a warning to landlords and cultists alike: stay out of cultism or face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Another squad member, Eribo Emwanta, warned parents and hotel owners to be vigilant. “Hotels harboring criminals are next,” he added.
The clampdown is being enforced under the Edo Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, which prescribes life imprisonment or a minimum of 21 years for cult membership. Landlords who permit cult meetings risk a minimum of 10 years in jail and forfeiture of their properties.
Governor Okpebholo has repeatedly vowed to rid Edo of cultists. “There is no safe haven for cultists in Edo State,” he declared.
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