Edo State Destroys Building Linked to Cult and Ritual Activities

The Edo State Government on Monday brought down a building in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. This building was said to be connected to cultism and ritual activities.

Another property was also sealed off as part of a new effort to fight crime and criminal groups.

In a statement on Tuesday, Patrick Ebojele, media aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo, said this operation was part of “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists.” This operation involved the Edo State Security Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies. Senior security officials attached to the governor supervised the operation.

During the operation, Barr. John Izegaegbe, the Secretary of the Edo State Security Squad, said they acted on intelligence reports and findings from the area. He noted that one of the sealed buildings in Ebhoijie-Uromi was connected to a shocking discovery made in June.

He explained, “We are here on the order of Governor Monday Okpebholo, and, on getting here, we discovered that it is a ritual and murder case.” He added that medical experts confirmed the body found in the building belonged to their gatekeeper, Mildah Dalandi, who had been decomposing for about a month in the apartment.

Izegaegbe said security operatives found the decomposed body of the gateman inside the apartment on June 2, 2026. This discovery was made after residents raised an alarm about a strong smell in the area. The suspects, identified as Eweh Favour and Eweh Bright, are currently on the run.

“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.

He mentioned that the discovery led to the demolition of a bungalow on Ebason Street, Uromi, which was allegedly linked to the suspects. He also claimed that evidence found at the building indicated cult-related activities.

“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 said.

Items recovered from the premises included laptops, machetes, battle axes, native pots, candles, and a red liquid believed to be used for rituals. They also found identity documents and photographs, one of which had the words, “Singapore ritualist.”

The state government confirmed that investigations are still ongoing. They assured residents that they will keep working to dismantle criminal networks in the communities.