In a raid on Thursday, members of the Edo State Special Security Squad arrested twenty alleged cultists and destroyed four facilities connected to them. 

Fred Itua, the chief press secretary for Governor Monday Okpebholo, made this announcement in a press release on Friday.  

Under the direction of the Governor's Principal Security Officer and the Chief Security Officer of Government House, the operation was conducted in Edo State's Etsako West Local Government Area.

The statement read, “About twenty suspects were arrested during the operations, and four houses were demolished, including a building located on Egbiadokhai Street, behind Otaru Primary School in Auchi owned by a wanted cultist known as Too-Believe.

“The building, which served as a regular meeting point for members of the Black Axe Confraternity, yielded alarming evidence. Two cut-to-size guns, two black beret caps associated with Black Axe cultists, and one sharp axe were found in the house.

“A suspect known as Too-Believe, who is currently on the run, is deeply embedded in cult operations in the region.

“Another house also demolished in Anoguele Street, Iyakpi, South-Ibie, belongs to a cultist named Kuwat, who was said to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity. When security agents arrived at his residence, he had already fled. Kuwat was named as the main mastermind of the recent killing of the barber.

“A property in the Ogodomiza Area in Ibie-Nafe belonging to another cult leader was also demolished. The house was earlier raided a day before, which led to the arrest of two young men, Momoh Austin (17) and Joseph Oyazojo (21). The suspects confessed they were brought to the area to engage in cybercrime activities commonly referred to as Yahoo Yahoo.

“Authorities also conducted a related sweep at Hybrid Hotel and Suites in Elele, Uzairue, where suspects were arrested,” he added.