Edo State Arrests 20 Suspected Cultists, Demolishes Four Properties in Major Security Operation

Edo State authorities have arrested 20 suspected cultists and demolished four houses linked to cult activities in a large-scale operation carried out on Thursday by the Edo State Special Security Squad.

The announcement was made in a statement released Friday by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo. The operation took place in Etsako West Local Government Area and was led by the Chief Security Officer, Government House, alongside the Governor’s Principal Security Officer.

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

Another house in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, linked to a cultist named Kuwat of the Eiye Confraternity, was also demolished. Kuwat, identified as the main suspect in a recent killing of a barber, had already fled before authorities arrived.

A third property in Ogodomiza Area, Ibie-Nafe, belonging to another cult leader, was demolished following earlier raids that led to the arrest of two young men, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21). The suspects confessed they had been recruited to the area for cybercrime activities commonly referred to as Yahoo Yahoo.

Security personnel also conducted sweeps at Hybrid Hotel and Suites in Elele, Uzairue, resulting in further arrests.

John Izegaegbe, Secretary of the State Security Squad, explained that the governor had previously given cultists 166 days to renounce their affiliations, with offers of soft loans and skills training—a window that was largely 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 said.

The demolition and arrests are part of enforcement under the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, which prescribes life imprisonment or a minimum of 21 years for cult membership. Landlords or property owners who permit cult meetings face at least 10 years in prison, alongside property forfeiture and demolition.

The operation follows a series of violent incidents in the state, including the recent killing of a barber in South Ibie and the deaths of two individuals during a cult signing-out celebration at Federal Polytechnic, Auchi.

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating cultism in Edo State and ensuring the safety and security of residents.