The Edo State Government on Thursday demolished a building in Amagba, Benin, where two suspected Aye members were arrested, and five others reportedly escaped in connection with the recent cult killings in the state.
The development was contained in a statement by the state governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele.
The demolition was carried out by the Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers in Edo State,” led by the Principal Security Officer to the Governor.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, the spokesperson for the squad, Eribo Enwanta, said the state’s anti-cultism law would be implemented to the letter to ensure cultism becomes a thing of the past in the state.
He said, “The governor has given us a mandate, and we will follow that mandate no matter who is involved. No one is bigger than the law. We are here and have demolished this property.
“Those who escaped that day and have been declared wanted are still declared wanted. Koko, Enas, Sparol and the others are still wanted, and we will arrest them to face the atrocities they have committed, especially Sparol.”
On the Okiagheles (youth leaders) who were asked to report before the special squad, Enwanta confirmed that two of the three Okiagheles had reported for scrutiny and were currently being profiled, while the Okiaghele of Obhagie, Ken Dada, was yet to report.
Enwanta noted, “The Okiaghele of Obhagie, we gave you seven days to report, and that ultimatum is still counting. We hear you have been ranting on social media that the Governor is not the Oba of Benin, but don’t forget there is law you must answer to.
“When the seven days expire, we will know if there is a law in Edo State. Ken Dada, the days are counting. For your own good, submit yourself for questioning, and when you fail to do so, we will declare you wanted, and the full weight of the state will be deployed to enforce the law.
“Others have come to honour the invitation, and we are profiling them as we speak, but Ken Dada has decided to be a law unto himself.”
In the meantime, the Special Security Squad also sealed off a residence in the Upper Uwa area of Benin, said to be the last known residence of Etiosa Akhiombare Joshua, also known as Baba Josh, described as a suspected member of the Maphite Confraternity and mastermind and financier of last week’s killing at Wire Road.
Briefing journalists, Enwanta said an intelligence report indicated that the suspect, Akhiombare, had relocated to Canada, prompting the state government to involve Interpol to help track him down and bring him back to face justice.
Enwanta insisted that all property linked to the suspect would be sealed off until he presents himself.
“When we leave here, we will go to your sister’s house and church, from there we will go to your father’s house. Etiosa Joshua placed a N1m bounty on the person that they killed; he also provided money for the weapons used in the killing. We have involved Interpol, and there is no hiding place for him and his conspirators. Anybody who has had a hand in killing another person in this state, we will go after them.
“We cannot be intimidated, and the Governor’s mandate will be carried out to ensure there is no more cult killing in Edo State. We have very good coordination in the office of the Principal Security Officer, and this mandate must be achieved.”
In January 2025, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo signed the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, introducing severe penalties to curb cultism, including the death penalty for cult-related killings.
The new law mandates 21 years’ imprisonment for sponsors and, for the first time, 10 years’ jail time plus property demolition for landlords or school owners knowingly harbouring cultists.
Key details of the new anti-cultism law include death penalty, 21-year jail term for active cult members and their financial/material sponsors.
Also, the law prescribed 10-year sentence and property seizure for individuals, including landlords and school owners, who permit their premises to be used for cult activities.
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