BENIN CITY, Edo State — The Edo State Government has demolished two buildings in Uromi and Ewatto following the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to organ harvesting, ritual activities and cult-related violence.
The demolition exercise, carried out on Thursday, October 22, involved the Edo State Special Security Squad, known as Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, the Edo State Security Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, the operation was supervised by the governor’s Principal Security Officer, Augustine Okoh.
One of the demolished properties was a bungalow and boys’ quarters located at Uwalor-Oke in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. The building reportedly belonged to a 40-year-old man identified as Ebhata Eromosele, who was arrested over alleged organ harvesting and ritual activities.
Security officials alleged that the property was used in activities involving three young women. According to the state government, one of the alleged victims, a pregnant woman, died, while another woman who had been hospitalised was discharged. A third was reportedly receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Esan Central Senatorial District.
The Coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Amiolemen Idemudia, said a lifeless body discovered after an alleged killing was traced to the bungalow.
He added that a search of the property reportedly uncovered a bloodstained bedspread and other items that security officials considered potentially incriminating.
The Edo State Security Corps Zonal Commander, SP Johnson Oyameda (rtd.), said more than a month of surveillance had helped operatives track the suspect.
Oyameda reportedly said surveillance was intensified following the discovery of bodies in the area. He alleged that security personnel observed Eromosele committing a killing and dumping the victim’s body before tracing him to the property.
The second building was located at Idi-Negbon, Eguare, in Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area. Authorities alleged that the property was linked to cult-related activities that had disturbed the peace of the community.
Idemudia identified Bright Ejetuwamen as a suspect allegedly associated with the cult-related violence and said the suspect had been apprehended. The building was subsequently demolished as part of the operation.
The state government said the demolitions were intended to deter criminal groups from using properties as bases for illegal activities.
Idemudia said the administration of Governor Okpebholo would not tolerate buildings being used to facilitate criminal activities, including kidnapping, cultism and ritual-related offences.
He maintained that the government would continue working with security agencies to address criminal networks and improve public safety across Edo State.
The arrests and demolitions come amid continued security concerns in parts of Edo, where authorities have repeatedly pledged to intensify operations against cult-related violence, kidnapping and other serious crimes.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to investigation and any subsequent court proceedings. The demolitions do not, by themselves, establish criminal guilt, which must be determined through the applicable legal process.
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