The special security squad tagged ‘Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists’ has continued its operations across Benin City, the Edo State capital, raiding criminal hideouts and arresting suspected cult leaders.
The squad set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to keep Edo State safe on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, arrested more suspected criminals who are in the habit of creating tension in the state with their nefarious activities.
The team made up of the military, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), hunters, vigilante groups, and repentant cultists, among other critical stakeholders in the state, identified some hotspots in Benin City as they embarked on arresting criminal elements.
Areas raided on uly 16, are Obe Community at Sapele Road, Iyowa Community, Evbonika and Azuwa villages, all in Benin City, in a bid to make the state habitable and safe for businesses and investments.
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At Azuwa village in Ovia North East Local Government Area, the team stormed the area following intelligence reports and made some arrests.
Also, at Evbonika Village, they stormed a building suspected to be a gathering point for cult members, as they questioned the owner of the building searching the entire premises.
Their presence in the area sent a strong signal to members of various cult groups, kidnappers and criminal elements in the state that the present administration means business.
The campaign of flushing out criminal elements from the state is not just a rhetoric, but backed with action as the Gov. Okpebholo administration is serious in ensuring a safer state for Edo people.
Several arrests were made by the team at a hotel located along Powerline, off First Ugbor in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin, where incriminating materials were found with the suspects.
Gov. Okpebholo, who spoke after granting the approval to set up the security squad, said his administration will not tolerate the activities of criminals, and will not allow them to dictate the future of the state as his government has zero-tolerance for violent crimes.
The team has been admonished to follow the clear directive of Gov. Okpebholo in ensuring full implementation of the operation, as accountability, professionalism, and community engagement will remain the hallmark of the special squad.
