Edo State Government has commenced the demolition of properties allegedly used for cult-related activities in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, as part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping, cultism, and other criminal acts across the state.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the demolition followed a major security raid carried out on 17 November 2025, by the State’s Special Security Squad in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
During the operation, security operatives arrested 31 suspects at various hideouts, while leaders of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities, accused of masterminding the violent clash in Uromi on 16 November were given a seven-day ultimatum to surrender.
With the deadline expired and no compliance from the wanted cult leaders, the government moved to demolish buildings where officials said incriminating evidence was uncovered. Authorities described the exercise as a firm demonstration of the administration’s commitment to stamping out criminality.
The demolition exercise was led by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, working alongside the Divisional Police Officer in Uromi, local vigilante groups, the Esan North-East Anti-Kidnapping Committee, and personnel of the Nigerian Army.
Coordinator of the security outfit, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultism, Idemudia Noah, said the decision to demolish the structures became necessary after the suspects failed to take advantage of the ultimatum and an additional grace period.
“This demolition exercise should serve as a warning to landlords and property owners in Uromi to properly profile their tenants. These houses were demolished because incriminating evidence was found in them,” he said.
Noah added that the affected properties would be taken over by the Edo State Government to serve as operational bases for ongoing security activities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Okpebholo administration to eliminating cultism, kidnapping, and all forms of criminality in the state.
“We are serious about this exercise. We want Edo State to be crime-free. No one is above the law,” he stated.
In a separate operation based on credible intelligence, the Special Security Squad raided the Hausa quarters in Uromi, arresting 15 persons after illicit drugs were discovered in their possession. The suspects have been transferred to the Uromi Divisional Headquarters for profiling, investigation, and possible prosecution.
Noah explained that drug peddling in the area had become a magnet for hoodlums, cultists, and kidnappers.
“We received information from our colleagues in Uromi on the ongoing illicit drug trade, which promotes nefarious activities. We swung into action and arrested both sellers and buyers,” he said.
One of the suspects, a marijuana dealer identified as Tajudeen Lawal, confessed to selling drugs alongside two others in the Hausa quarters.
