Building linked to suspected ritualists demolished in Edo

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The Edo State Government on Monday demolished a building allegedly linked to cultism and ritual activities in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.

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Another property was also sealed off in a renewed crackdown on crime and criminal networks.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s media aide, Patrick Ebojele, the operation was carried out under “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists” and involved the Edo State Security Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies under the supervision of senior security officials attached to the governor.

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Speaking during the exercise, the Secretary of the Edo State Security Squad, Barr. John Izegaegbe said the intervention followed intelligence reports and field findings in the area.

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According to him, one of the sealed buildings in Ebhoijie-Uromi was linked to a disturbing discovery made in June.

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He stated, “We are here on the order of Governor Monday Okpebholo and, on getting here, we discovered that it is a ritual and murder case.

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“It was further discovered, according to medical experts, that the body found in the building, which is the body of their gatekeeper, identified as Mildah Dalandi, had been decomposing for about one month in the apartment.”

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He said security operatives found the decomposed body of the gateman inside the apartment on June 2, 2026, after residents raised the alarm over a strong odour in the area.

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Izegaegbe added that the suspects, identified as Eweh Favour and Eweh Bright, were currently at large.

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“The suspects are on the run, but we are giving them 72 hours to report themselves at the Uromi Police Divisional Headquarters or Area Command to clear themselves and enable further investigation into the matter,” he said.

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According to him, the discovery led to the demolition of a bungalow on Dr Ebason Street, Uromi, allegedly linked to the suspects.

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He further alleged that evidence recovered from the building pointed to cult-related activities.

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“Information brought us here as the property belongs to the same suspects, and evidence has shown that this building is used as an initiation ground for new members into the confraternity,” he added.

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According to him, items recovered from the premises included laptops, machetes, battle axes, native pots, candles, a red-coloured liquid suspected to be used for rituals, identity documents and photographs, one of which reportedly bore the inscription, “Singapore ritualist.”

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The Edo State Government reiterated that investigations were ongoing and assured residents that efforts to dismantle criminal networks across communities would continue.

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