The Edo State Government has intensified its crackdown on cultism and violent gangs, sealing shrines and declaring alleged cult leaders wanted following deadly clashes inIn a coordinated operation dubbed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” security forces raided the Egbaen community in Egor Local Government Area early Wednesday. Although the compound was empty, officers discovered a hidden shrine containing a white casket and fetish items believed to be used in initiation rituals.
The authorities promptly sealed the property, emphasizing that the government would no longer tolerate the spiritual and physical infrastructures supporting cult networks.
The crackdown came after a violent clash between rival confraternities, Eiye and Maphite, in Evboyare community, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, which resulted in the death of a man named Festus.
Following the incident, security agents sealed the home of Felix Aigbedion, an alleged Maphite leader accused of orchestrating the attack. He has since been declared wanted.
Officers also recovered two locally made firearms from a poultry house used as an improvised armory by cultists. The violent confrontation left homes, vehicles, and streets riddled with bullet holes and destruction, forcing families to flee.
Speaking after the operation, coordinator Idemudia Noah stated that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration is resolute in dismantling criminal networks. He warned cultists to “renounce or leave Edo State” or face the full force of the law.
Investigators also uncovered evidence of extortion during initiation rituals, including forced money transfers from victims.
