The Edo State Government has demolished buildings allegedly used for ritual activities and cult-related crimes following the arrest of two suspects in the state’s renewed crackdown on criminality.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, involved the Edo State Special Security Squad, the police and other security agencies.
The government demolished a bungalow and four boys’ quarters at Uwalor-Oke in Uromi, Esan Central Senatorial District, allegedly used by a suspected ritualist, Ebhata Eromosele. Another building linked to cult-related activities in Ewatto was also pulled down.
The authorities alleged that Eromosele was involved in attacks on three young women, one of whom reportedly died. Another victim, who was hospitalised, has been discharged, while the third is still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Amiolemen Idemudia, said the government was determined to rid the state of criminal elements.
He alleged that Eromosele used the bungalow for ritual activities and that security operatives recovered a bloodstained bedspread and other items suspected to be evidence of criminal activity during a search of the premises.
“A lifeless body that was killed and dumped was traced by the Edo State Security Corps to this bungalow apartment used by the suspect.
“A search of the residence exposed the suspect, as security operatives saw a bloodstained bedspread and other incriminating evidence indicating that Ebhata was involved in ritual activities and organ harvesting,” Idemudia said.
He added that Governor Monday Okpebholo had warned that his administration would not tolerate crimes of such nature.
Idemudia also said a building belonging to Bright Ejetuwamen, whom he identified as being at the forefront of a cult-related crisis in Ewatto, was demolished.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo will not spare any hideout or property used to perpetrate crime, as such structures will be demolished. The cultist has been apprehended. All criminals must leave Edo State,” he said.
The Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, SP Johnson Oyameda (retd.), said the arrest of the suspected ritualist followed more than a month of surveillance.
He said the surveillance was intensified after the recovery of a mutilated woman’s body from a drainage, followed by another similar incident less than two weeks later.
Oyameda said security operatives subsequently tracked Eromosele to the bungalow after suspecting his involvement in the incidents.
“Ebhata Eromosele murdered a lady and dumped the body, but my men on surveillance saw him and trailed him to this apartment, which was demolished on Wednesday,” he said.
He added that three women were allegedly attacked in separate incidents, leaving one dead, another hospitalised and the third discharged.
Oyameda said the two suspects had been arrested and were in the custody of the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.