The Edo State Special Security Squad has arrested 20 suspected cultists and demolished four properties linked to cult activities in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.
The operation was carried out following the brutal killing of a young barber in South Ibie, reportedly tied to rival cult clashes.
A statement issued on Friday by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpehbolo, confirmed the arrests and demolitions.
The operation was led by the Chief Security Officer, Government House, and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer (PSO).
Among the demolished properties was a building on Egbiadokhai Street, behind Otaru Primary School, owned by a wanted cultist known as Too-Believe.
The house, reportedly a regular meeting point for Black Axe members, yielded two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps, and a sharp axe.
Another property in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South Ibie, belonging to cultist Kuwat of the Eiye Confraternity, was also demolished. Kuwat is suspected of having masterminded the recent barber killing.
The third property in Ogodomiza Area, Ibie-Nafe, linked to another cult leader, was demolished after a prior raid led to the arrest of two youths, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21), who confessed to being recruited for cybercrime activities.
John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the State Security Squad, warned that the government had previously offered a 166-day grace period for cultists to renounce their activities, which 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 said.
Eribo Emwanta of the squad urged parents and hotel owners to remain vigilant, adding that the clean-up will extend to hotels harboring criminals.
