The Edo State Government has demolished four buildings connected to cult activities and arrested 20 suspected cultists in Etsako West Local Government Area.
According to DAILY POST, the demolition and arrests were carried out by the Edo State Special Security Squad, operating under the codename “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers.”
The recent action follows the killing of two individuals in Etsako West on 16th September 2025.
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The demolished properties are situated at Egbeadokhai Street, behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi; Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, and Ogodomiza area in Ibie-Nafe, all within Etsako West LGA.
John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the State Security Squad, disclosed to journalists in Benin City on Friday that the buildings were linked to suspected cultists.
Izegaegbe stated that the properties on Egbeadokhai Street, Auchi, and Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, were owned by alleged members of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities.
He further claimed that the Egbeadokhai Street property in Auchi served as a regular meeting point for Black Axe members and was directly tied to a recent murder in Auchi, with weapons and cult insignia discovered on-site.
According to Izegaegbe, two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps associated with Black Axe, and a sharp axe were recovered from the house, while the owner remains at large.
A similar operation was conducted in South-Ibie following the killing of a young barber, which authorities linked to clashes between rival cult groups.
Izegaegbe explained that the Anoguele Street property in Iyakpi, South-Ibie, belonged to a suspected Eiye Confraternity member, who had fled before security agents arrived. He described the suspect as the main orchestrator of the barber’s murder.
Additionally, a house in Ogodomiza area, Ibie-Nafe, owned by another cult leader, was demolished. Two young men, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21), had been arrested in a prior raid on the property. The suspects confessed they were brought to the area to participate in cybercrime activities, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo.
Authorities also carried out a related sweep at Hybrid Hotel and Suites in Elele, Uzairue, where additional suspects were apprehended.
Izegaegbe stressed that the demolition serves as a stern warning to landlords and cultists across the state.
Eribo Emwanta, a member of the security squad, urged parents and hotel owners to remain vigilant, noting that the agency is systematically cleansing communities and hotels that harbor criminals. He confirmed that more properties linked to cult activities are expected to be marked for demolition, in line with directives from Governor Monday Okpebholo.
