The Edo State Government has begun demolishing structures in Uromi, Esan North‑East Local Government Area, that officials say were used for cult activities. 

The action follows a major security operation on the  17th of November 2025, when the state’s Special Security Squad, together with the Nigerian Army and other agencies, raided several hideouts and arrested 31 suspects. 

Leaders of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities, accused of orchestrating a violent clash in Uromi on 16 November, were given a seven‑day ultimatum to surrender. After the deadline passed without compliance, the government moved to raze the buildings where incriminating evidence had been found.

The demolition was led by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside the Divisional Police Officer of Uromi, local vigilante groups, the Esan North‑East Anti‑Kidnapping Committee and Nigerian Army personnel. Idemudia Noah, coordinator of the security outfit known as “Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultism,” explained that the action was necessary because the suspects ignored both the ultimatum and an additional grace period.

“This demolition exercise should serve as a warning to landlords and property owners in Uromi to properly profile their tenants. These houses were demolished because incriminating evidence was found in them,” Noah said. “These properties will now be taken over by the Edo State Government for use as operational offices.” He added, “We are serious about this exercise. We want Edo State to be crime‑free. No one is above the law.”

In a separate raid on the Hausa quarters of Uromi, the squad acted on credible intelligence and arrested 15 persons found in possession of illicit drugs. The suspects were handed over to the Uromi Divisional Headquarters for profiling, investigation and eventual prosecution. Noah noted that drug peddling in the area has attracted hoodlums, cultists and kidnappers.

“We received information from our colleagues in Uromi on the ongoing illicit drug trade, which promotes nefarious activities. We swung into action and arrested both sellers and buyers,” he said.

One of those detained, a marijuana dealer named Tajudeen Lawal, admitted his involvement in the drug trade alongside two others at the Hausa quarters.

The Edo State Government says the demolition and drug busts underscore its commitment to eradicating cultism, kidnapping and related crimes across the state.