The Edo State Government has demolished two properties allegedly used for ritual activities and cult-related crimes following the arrest of a suspected organ harvester, a cultist and a ritualist in the state.
The demolitions were carried out on Wednesday by the Edo State Special Security Squad in collaboration with the police and other security agencies as part of efforts to tackle criminal activities.
One of the buildings, a bungalow with four boys’ quarters at Uwalor-Oke in Uromi, Esan Central Senatorial District, was allegedly used by a suspect, Ebhata Eromosele, for ritual activities involving three young women.
According to security officials, one of the victims, who was pregnant, died, while another was hospitalised and the third had been discharged.
A second property at Idi-Negbon, Eguare Ewatto, allegedly linked to cult-related activities, was also pulled down by bulldozers.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Amiolemen Idemudia, said the government would intensify efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
He said Eromosele had allegedly engaged in ritual activities before his arrest and the demolition of the property.
“A lifeless body killed and dumped was traced by Edo State Security Corps to this bungalow apartment used by the suspect.
“A search of this residence exposed the suspect as the security operative saw a bloodstained bedspread and other incriminating evidence indicating that Ebhata is into ritual activities and organ harvesting,” Idemudia said.
He added that Governor Monday Okpebholo had warned that his administration would not tolerate such crimes and would take action against properties used to facilitate criminal activities.
Idemudia also said the demolition in Ewatto was connected to cult-related disturbances involving a property belonging to Bright Ejetuwamen, whom he described as being at the forefront of the crisis.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo will not spare any hideout or properties used to perpetrate crime as it 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, retired SP Johnson Oyameda, attributed the arrest of the suspected ritualist to more than a month of surveillance in the area.
“The body of a lady mutilated and dumped in a drainage was recovered while still alive. Not up to two weeks another body was recovered again and these incidents led to stepping up of surveillance around the area and it paid off.
“Ebhata Eromosele murdered a lady and dumped the body but my men on surveillance saw him and trailed him to this apartment which has been demolished today (Wednesday),” Oyameda said.
He said the suspect had allegedly carried out three ritual attacks, resulting in one death, while another victim was hospitalised and the third had been discharged.
“Upon searching the compound, a bloodstained bedspread was seen and other incriminating evidence indicating that the suspect has engaged in criminal activities,” he added.
The security officials said the suspected ritualist and cultist had been arrested and were being held by the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
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