The Edo State Special Security Squad, has destroyed the homes of four cultists involved in the alleged brutal murder in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State in line with the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, which prescribes life imprisonment or a minimum of 21 years for cult membership.
It also states that landlords or property owners who permit cult meetings risk at least 10 years in prison, alongside forfeiture and demolition of the property.
The affected houses also served as a regular meeting point for members of the Black Axe Confraternity, yielded alarming evidence, while over 20 criminal suspects, including were arrested during the raid.
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo alleged on Friday that two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps associated with Black Axe cultists, and one sharp axe were found in one of the houses.
A a building located on Egbiadokhai Street, behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi owned by a wanted cultist known as Too-Believe who is currently on-the-run, according to the statement, is deeply embedded in cult operations in the region.
The squad codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers, was led by the Chief Security Officer, Government House and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer (PSO).
Another house also demolished in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, belongs to a cultist named Kuwat.
The statement said Kuwat, who was said to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity. When security agents arrived at his residence, he had already fled. Kuwat was named as the main mastermind of the recent killing of the barber in Estako West.
The statement also revealed that a property in the Ogodomiza Area in Ibie-Nafe belonging to another cult leader was also demolished.
The property was earlier raided a day before, 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.
The government ordered demolition exercise also conducted a related sweep at Hybrid Hotel and Suites in Elele, Uzairue, where suspects were arrested.
Similarly, a house also demolished in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, belonging to a suspected cultist identified only as Kuwat, who fled before the arrival of security forces, was pulled down.
Addressing journalists after the demolition exercise at Egbiadokhai Street, John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the State Security Squad, 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.”, according to him.
Izegaegbe who cited evidence, including weapons and cult insignia found at the crime scene, reaffirmed Governor Okpebholo’s zero tolerance to crime.
Also speaking, a 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 harboring criminals are next”.
