By THE Edo State government has commenced the demolition of properties allegedly connected to cult activities in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities across the state.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Government, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the move follows 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, 31 suspects were arrested at different hideouts, while leaders of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities — reportedly responsible for the violent clash in Uromi on 16 November — were given a seven-day ultimatum to surrender.
With the ultimatum now expired and no compliance from the wanted cult leaders, the government has begun demolishing buildings where officials say incriminating items were discovered. Authorities described the action as a firm demonstration of the administration’s resolve to eradicate criminality.
The exercise was led by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, with support from 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 codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultism, Mr Idemudia Noah, explained that the demolition became necessary after the suspects failed to take advantage of both the ultimatum and an extended 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.
He added that the affected properties would be taken over by the Edo State Government and converted into operational bases.
Noah reiterated 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 squad raided the Hausa quarters in Uromi, arresting 15 persons after illicit drugs were found in their possession. The suspects have been transferred to the Uromi Divisional Headquarters for profiling, further investigation and eventual prosecution.
Noah noted that drug peddling in the area had continued to attract hoodlums, cultists and kidnappers.
“We received information from our colleagues in Uromi about 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, identified as Tajudeen Lawal, reportedly confessed to selling marijuana alongside two others within the Hausa quarters.
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