The Edo State Government has intensified its crackdown on cultism and related crimes with the sealing of multiple shrines linked to suspected cult leaders.
This move followed the discovery of a shrine in Egbaen community and a violent clash in Evboyare that claimed one life.
The Joint Taskforce, code named “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, took battle to the suspect’s enclaves, vowing that there will be “no retreat, no surrender” in the war against cult groups and other criminal networks
Since Governor Monday Okpebholo established the Special Taskforce, its operatives have been relentless in disrupting the activities of cultists and kidnappers across Edo State.
Acting on intelligence, the Squad Coordinator, Idemudia Noah, led operatives to a residence in Egbaen community, in Egor Local Government Area, in the early hours of Thursday.
Though the house was unoccupied, a hidden shrine was uncovered at the back of the premises. Multiple properties linked to suspected cult leaders were sealed, while investigators recovered a casket and fetish objects believed to have been used for initiation rites and secret activities.
In a related operation, security forces stormed Evboyare community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area following a bloody clash between rival cult groups that left one person dead. The residence of a suspected cult leader, identified as being behind the violence, was sealed. Two locally made firearms were recovered from a poultry house allegedly serving as an armory for cultists.
ait.live gathered from individuals who want their identities protected, that victims were extorted during initiation rituals, with forced transfers of money to cult members forming part of the group’s operations.
Editor: Ken Eseni
