By Davidson Ogbebor

BENIN CITY — Security operatives in Edo State have arrested two men over alleged involvement in ritual-related activities and cultism, while two properties in Uromi and Ewatto have been demolished in an operation targeting suspected criminal activities.

The operation was conducted by the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, under the supervision of the governor’s Principal Security Officer.

The exercise covered Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government Area and Ewatto in Esan South-East Local Government Area, both in Edo Central Senatorial District.

One of the properties demolished was a bungalow and boys’ quarters at Uwalor-Oke, Uromi, reportedly belonging to 40-year-old Ebhata Eromosele, who was arrested over allegations of involvement in ritual activities and organ harvesting.

Security officials alleged that the property was connected to attacks on three young women, including a pregnant woman who reportedly died. According to the officials, one of the other women has been discharged from hospital, while the third was still receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility at the time of the operation.

Speaking to journalists after the exercise, Amiolemen Idemudia, coordinator of the special security squad, said the arrest followed investigations into suspected criminal activities in the area.

Idemudia said the Edo State Security Corps traced a body found dumped in the area to the bungalow allegedly associated with the suspect.

He added that a search of the premises reportedly uncovered a bloodstained bedspread and other items which security operatives considered relevant to their investigation.

The coordinator said the operation formed part of the state government’s efforts to address kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes. He added that the authorities intended to sustain security operations to protect residents.

“The government will not rest until the state is safe for all,” Idemudia said.

He also stated that the government would take action against properties allegedly used to facilitate criminal activities, including demolition where authorised by the relevant authorities.

On the operation in Ewatto, Idemudia said reports of suspected cult-related clashes had raised concerns about security and public order in the community.

He identified Bright Ejetuwamen as a suspect in connection with the alleged activities and claimed that a property belonging to him at Idi-Negbon Eguare, Ewatto, was used for cult-related purposes. The property was subsequently demolished during the operation.

Idemudia said the action was intended to discourage the alleged use of properties for criminal activities and deter similar incidents elsewhere in the state.

The Zonal Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, SP Johnson Oyameda (rtd), said the operation in Uromi followed more than a month of surveillance prompted by reports of bodies recovered in the area.

According to Oyameda, security personnel recovered the body of a woman who had reportedly been mutilated and dumped in a drainage channel. He said another body was recovered less than two weeks later, prompting security agencies to intensify surveillance.

Oyameda alleged that the investigation led operatives to Eromosele and the property in Uromi. He further claimed that the suspect was linked to three attacks on women, one of whom reportedly died, while the others received or were receiving medical treatment.

He said bloodstained materials and other items were reportedly found during a search of the premises and would be relevant to the ongoing investigation.

Both suspects have reportedly been taken into custody at the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged offences, the evidentiary significance of the items reportedly recovered and the legal basis for the demolition of the properties have not been independently established in this report.

The suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the allegations against them must be determined through due process of law.