In a renewed crackdown on crime and criminal networks, the Edo State Government has demolished a building allegedly linked to cultism and ritual activities in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.
The government also sealed another property in the area in the exercise tagged “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists.”
A statement by the chief press secretary to the Edo State Governor, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, indicates that the exercise involved the Nigeria Police Force, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and other security agencies under the supervision of senior security officials attached to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Speaking during the operation, the Secretary of the Edo State Security Squad, Barr. John Izegaegbe, said the intervention followed intelligence and field findings in the area.
“We are here on the marching order of Governor Monday Okpebholo and getting here we discovered that it’s a ritual and a murder case,” he stated.
He further disclosed that one of the sealed buildings at Ebhoijie-Uromi was linked to a disturbing discovery in June.
According to him, medical experts’ reports show that the body found in the building, which is the body of a gateman identified as Mildah Dalandi, has been decomposing for about one month in the apartment.
Izegaegbe gave the name of the suspects in the matter, who are currently on the run, as Eweh Favour and Eweh Bright.
“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 remarked.
Items recovered from the premises included laptops, machetes, battle axes, native pots, candles, a red-coloured liquid suspected to be used for rituals, identity documents, and photographs, one of which reportedly carried the inscription “Singapore ritualist.