Twenty suspected cultists were arrested and four buildings linked to them were demolished in a raid carried out on Thursday by operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad.

This was contained in a press statement released by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua on Friday.

The operation was carried out in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State led by the Chief Security Officer, Government House and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer.

The statement read, “About 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 building, which served as a regular meeting point for members of the Black Axe Confraternity, yielded alarming evidence. Two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps associated with Black Axe cultists, and one sharp axe were found in the house.

“A suspect known as Too-Believe, who is currently on the run, is deeply embedded in cult operations in the region.

“Another house also demolished in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, belongs to a cultist named 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.

“A property in the Ogodomiza Area in Ibie-Nafe belonging to another cult leader was also demolished. The house 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.

“Authorities also conducted a related sweep at Hybrid Hotel and Suites in Elele, Uzairue, where suspects were arrested,” he added.

Speaking after the demolition exercise at Egbiadokhai Street, John Izegaegbe, who is the 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.”

He emphasised that the house was directly linked to the murder in Auchi earlier in the week, with evidence including weapons and cult insignia found on-site.

The demolition of the properties belonging to suspected cultists in Edo State is in line with the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, which also prescribes life imprisonment or a minimum of 21 years for cult membership.

The law 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 recent operation follows the brutal killing of a young man (a barber) in South Ibie, an act tied to rival cult clashes.

Also, ‎two persons were reportedly killed at the signing-out celebration of a cult leader in Federal Polytechnic, Auchi on Tuesday.

‎The incident was said to have occurred at a popular hotel, venue of the party, where a rival confraternity group, was also said to be celebrating the signing out of some members.
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‎The cult groups, Black Axe Movement and Eiye, were said to have fired repeated gunshots into the air as they buzzed and exchanged banters.
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The celebration turned bloody after an ML Mercedes-Benz belonging to a rival cult member was hit, with the resultant fiasco leading to two deaths.

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