Operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad have arrested 20 suspected cultists in a major crackdown on criminal activities in the state.
The raid, which took place on Thursday in Etsako West Local Government Area, also led to the demolition of four buildings linked to cult leaders. Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the operation in a statement released on Friday.
According to the statement, one of the demolished properties, located on Egbiadokhai Street behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi, belonged to a notorious cultist known as Too-Believe, who remains on the run. Security operatives recovered two cut-to-size guns, black beret caps associated with the Black Axe confraternity, and a sharp axe from the building, which reportedly served as a regular meeting point for cultists.
Another house in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, belonging to a suspected member of the Eiye confraternity named Kuwat, was also demolished. Kuwat, identified as the alleged mastermind of the recent killing of a barber in Ibie, reportedly fled before security agents arrived.
A third property in Ogodomiza, Ibie-Nafe, was demolished after it was linked to another cult leader. The earlier raid on the property led to the arrest of two suspects — 17-year-old Momoh Austin and 21-year-old Joseph Oyazojo — who confessed to being recruited for cybercrime activities, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo.
The security team also stormed Hybrid Hotel and Suites in Elele, Uzairue, where additional suspects were arrested.
Speaking after the demolition exercise, the Secretary of the State Security Squad, John Izegaegbe, said the government had earlier given cultists a 166-day grace period to renounce their membership, with offers of 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,” Izegaegbe warned.
Meanwhile, tension remains high in Auchi after a signing-out celebration at the Federal Polytechnic turned violent on Tuesday. The clash, involving members of the Black Axe Movement and the Eiye confraternity, left two people dead after gunshots were fired during a confrontation sparked by damage to a rival’s Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
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