The Edo State Government on Thursday demolished buildings and arrested two persons allegedly linked to ritual activities, organ harvesting and cultism in the state.
The joint operation was carried out in Esan North-East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas by the state’s special security squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, working alongside the Edo State Security Corps, the police and other security agencies.
The exercise, supervised by the governor’s Principal Security Officer, led to the demolition of two buildings in Uromi and Ewatto over their alleged use for criminal activities. One of the structures, a building located at Idi-Negbon Eguare in Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area, was demolished for its alleged links to cult-related activities.
Speaking with journalists after the operations, the coordinator of the special security squad, Amiolemen Idemudia, said the government remains determined to eliminate kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities across the state.
Idemudia alleged that one of the suspects was involved in ritual activities prior to his arrest and that evidence of suspected criminal activity was discovered at the property. He explained that the investigation followed the discovery of a lifeless body that was allegedly traced to the bungalow, which prompted security operatives to intensify surveillance in the area.
“A search of this residence exposed the suspect as security operatives saw bloodstained bedspread and other incriminating evidence, indicating that the suspect is into ritual activities and organ harvesting,” Idemudia stated.
He added that Governor Monday Okpebholo had repeatedly warned that his administration would not tolerate such crimes and would continue efforts to ensure the safety of residents.
On the Ewatto incident, Idemudia alleged that the suspect was involved in cult-related clashes that disturbed the peace of the community. He said the property was demolished because it was reportedly used for cult-related activities, and that the suspect had been arrested.
The Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, SP Johnson Oyameda, attributed the arrest of the suspected ritualist to more than a month of surveillance. According to him, security operatives had earlier recovered the body of a mutilated woman from a drainage and later recorded another similar incident, which led to intensified monitoring of the area.
Oyameda said operatives subsequently tracked the suspect, identified as Eromosele, to the bungalow, where they allegedly discovered bloodstained bedding and other items considered relevant to the investigation. He further disclosed that three women were allegedly attacked, with one dying and the other two receiving medical treatment.
The two suspects are currently in the custody of the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
