Precious Josiah
In a renewed onslaught against cultism and kidnappings in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the demolition of houses linked to suspected Cultists and kidnappers in the state.
During the week the Edo State Special Security Squad, operating under the codename “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” began a large-scale demolition of properties linked to suspected cultists in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The operation was led by the Chief Security Officer of the Government House and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer (PSO).
During the operations, around 20 suspects were apprehended, and four houses were demolished, including one on Egbiadokhai Street, located behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi.
This property belongs to a wanted cultist known as Too-Believe who is now on the run .
The building was identified as a frequent meeting spot for members of the Black Axe Confraternity, and authorities discovered alarming evidence inside.
They recovered two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps linked to Black Axe cultists, and a sharp axe.
Another property owned by a cult leader in the Ogodomiza Area of Ibie-Nafe was also demolished.
This house had been raided the previous day, resulting in the arrest of two young men, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21). The suspects admitted that they were brought to the area to participate in cybercrime and fraudulent activities known as internet fraud.
Following the demolition at Egbiadokhai Street, John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the State Security Squad, stated: “The Governor provided a 166-day grace period for all cultists to renounce their activities, along with offers of soft loans and skills training.
”That opportunity was disregarded. Now, in these urgent times, we must take decisive action. This demolition serves as a warning to all landlords and cultists: stay away from cultism or face the full consequences of the law.
He reiterated that the said apartment was linked to a murder case a week ago, firearms and cult materials were found in the house.
The squad advocated for parents, guardian , landlords and hotel owners could risk destruction of their properties if they continue to harbor cultist.
The action by the government is a bold statement from the Government implying that there’s no place for cultism in Edo State .
The Edo State Special Security Squad launched a man- hunt on suspected cultist in Auchi on Wednesday.
The man-hunt was as a result of the brutal killing of a barber in south ibie were he was said to be working on a customer’s hair.This provoked the Edo State Special Security Squad to unleash thorough search for the perpetrators, arrests were made , after interrogations it was discovered that the genesis of the issue began from Auchi polytechnic sign- out while students partied at the Hybrid hotel and suites in Elele, Auchi.
Rival cult groups were said to have engaged in an altercation when a stray bullet from a gun shot to herald the celebration hit a car of a rival cult member.
It was gathered that the owner of the car hit by the gun shot , an Eiye confraternity member would have none of it ,as he and his caucus claimed it was an intentional attempt on his life. The result was a fisticuff between cults groups.
It was further gathered that members of the Eiye confraternity allegedly took the fight further on retaliation, and shot a barber popularly known as Jafaru in the process.
The fight then escalated resulting in another shooting at Hotel de James in Aviele where the victim reportedly survived with fatal injuries.
As the crackdown continues, more properties associated with the cultists are anticipated to be designated for demolition, further underscoring Governor Monday Okpebholo’s statement: “There is no safe haven for cultists in Edo State.”