The Edo State Government has intensified its crackdown on criminal networks with the sealing of several properties allegedly linked to suspected cult leaders, following the discovery of a shrine in Egbaen community and a violent clash in Evboyare that left one person dead.
The operation, tagged “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” was carried out on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, by the Edo State Government’s Special Security Squad led by its coordinator, Idemudia Noah, in collaboration with other security agencies.
Acting on intelligence reports, the squad stormed a residence in Egbaen, Egor Local Government Area, in the early hours of the day. Although the building was unoccupied at the time, operatives discovered a secluded shrine located at the rear of the premises. Items suspected to be used for initiation rituals and charms were recovered. The property was immediately sealed pending further investigation.
Later the same day, security personnel moved to Evboyare community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, where a violent confrontation involving suspected cult members had erupted, claiming one life. According to security sources, the confrontation stemmed from a supremacy battle between rival cult groups, with residents caught in the crossfire. The affected property, believed to be a meeting point for the cultists, was also sealed.
Coordinator of the Special Security Squad, Idemudia Noah, told journalists that the state government would not relent in dismantling criminal structures across communities. “What we saw today is a reflection of the depth of the problem, but we are determined to root it out. These cult groups threaten peace, security, and the very fabric of our communities. We will continue to pursue them, dismantle their hideouts, and bring perpetrators to justice,” he said.
He assured residents that the government’s coordinated approach, backed by intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation, would yield lasting results in the fight against cultism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in Edo State.
Eyewitnesses in Egbaen described the discovery of the shrine as unsettling, with one resident noting that “many people in the community suspected strange activities around that house, but no one imagined there was a shrine hidden inside.”
In Evboyare, residents expressed relief that the government had moved swiftly to contain the situation. “We were living in fear because these cult boys fight openly, and innocent people are always at risk. Sealing their hideout is a good step,” a local trader said.
The Edo State Government has in recent months scaled up security operations following rising concerns over cult clashes and kidnappings across the state. Governor Godwin Obaseki had earlier pledged that his administration would pursue a zero-tolerance policy against cultism and violent crime.
As part of the ongoing operation, more raids and property seizures are expected in the coming days. Authorities have urged community members to provide timely information that could help security agencies track down criminal gangs before they strike.
Security analysts say the success of “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers” will depend on sustained enforcement and community cooperation. For now, the sealing of the suspected cult properties sends a strong signal that the state is determined to reclaim troubled communities from criminal elements.
