The Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, has demolished buildings linked to suspected cultists in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
Naija News reports that over twenty suspects were arrested during the operations, and four houses were demolished, including a building located on Egbiadokhai Street, behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi, owned by a wanted cultist known as Too-Believe.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that the mass demolition of properties followed a high-stakes operation led by the Chief Security Officer, Government House and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer (PSO).
Itua said the recent operation follows the brutal killing of a young barber in South-Ibie during a rival cult clash.
According to him, while Too-Believe, who is currently on the run, two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps associated with Black Axe cultists, and one sharp axe were found in the building, which served as a regular meeting point for members of the Black Axe Confraternity.
The statement further disclosed that another building in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, which belongs to a member of the Eiye Confraternity named Kuwat, was demolished.
Kuwat, who was named as the main mastermind of the recent killing of the barber, had reportedly fled when security arrived at his residence.
Similarly, another property in the Ogodomiza Area in Ibie-Nafe, belonging to another cult leader, was demolished a few days after the security operatives raided the house, which led to the arrest of two young men, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21).
The suspects confessed they were brought to the area to engage in cybercrime activities commonly referred to as Yahoo Yahoo.
Speaking after the demolition exercise at Egbiadokhai Street, Secretary of the State Security Squad, John Izegaegbe, said the house was directly linked to a recent murder in Auchi, with evidence including weapons and cult insignia found on-site.
He said, “The Governor gave 166 days of grace to all cultists to renounce, offering soft loans and skills training. That window was ignored. Now, desperate times call for desperate action. This demolition is a warning to all landlords and cultists, stay out of cultism or face the full wrath of the law.”
Another member of the security squad, Eribo Emwanta, added, “We are advising parents and hotel owners to be vigilant. We are cleaning out these communities, and hotels harbouring criminals are next.”
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