Edo Governor Vows to Demolish Crime-Linked Buildings, Repurpose Sites for Public Use
BENIN CITY, Nigeria – April 30, 2025
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has intensified his administration’s crackdown on criminal activities, ordering the demolition of buildings linked to kidnapping, cultism, and ritual practices. The governor personally supervised the destruction of two properties in Benin City on Wednesday, warning landlords against harboring criminals and announcing plans to repurpose the sites for community infrastructure.
Key Demolitions and Findings
- Ogheghe Building:
- A residential duplex allegedly used for internet fraud, kidnapping, and ritual practices, including shrines where victims were held captive.
- Governor Okpebholo expressed shock at discovering detained children and ritualistic setups: “This is wickedness in its highest form. Edo must be safe.”
- Arena Street Cult Hub:
- A facility in Amagba, featuring a hall, office spaces, and a moat used for cult initiation rituals, was demolished.
- The property included an “Industrial Overhead Stand and Tanks donated by its Asia Region (2016–2021),” linked to a notorious cult group.
Governor’s Directives and Public Assurance
- Zero-Tolerance Policy:
- “We will fish out criminals and demolish their hideouts. No sanctuary for lawbreakers,” Okpebholo declared.
- The demolitions are backed by a new anti-cultism law empowering the state to target crime-linked properties.
- Repurposing Strategy:
- Sites of demolished buildings will host police stations and other public facilities to deter criminal resurgence.
- “Any land where such buildings are taken down will serve the community,” the governor stated.
Controversies and Additional Actions
- Eterno Hotel Sealed:
- The hotel, owned by a political associate of opposition figures, was closed over alleged ties to cult-related violence.
- Critics accuse the governor of political motives, but officials insist the move is security-driven.
- Organ Harvesting Case:
- A Lagos suspect connected to a demolished building (involving organ trafficking) will be extradited to Edo for prosecution.
- The suspect’s father, Martins Oghenewore, lamented his son’s descent into crime despite rehabilitation efforts.
Political and Legal Context
- Anti-Cultism Law:
- Enacted in April 2025, the law permits property demolition and harsh penalties for cult-related offenses.
- Public Reactions:
- Supporters praise the crackdown, while opponents question due process and allege political targeting
