The Edo State Government has intensified its crackdown on crime by demolishing buildings allegedly used for illicit activities, sparking a mix of support and criticism from the public.
Governor Monday Okpebholo personally oversaw the recent demolition of a property in Ogheghe, a community on the outskirts of Benin City. According to officials, the building was linked to kidnapping and internet fraud, with reports suggesting that victims were held captive and subjected to ritual practices. Authorities claimed that human remains, fetish objects, and personal items belonging to victims were discovered at the site.
The governor, visibly troubled by the findings, condemned the activities allegedly conducted in the building. “Children were kidnapped and kept here for years. This kind of evil is unacceptable in Edo State,” Okpebholo said during the demolition exercise. He vowed to continue targeting structures associated with cultism, kidnapping, and ritual crimes, declaring that there would be “no sanctuary for criminals in Edo State.”
As part of the same operation, another building in the Amagba area of Benin was also demolished. The structure was reportedly used by a secret cult group and contained multiple rooms, a hall, and office-like spaces believed to have supported organized illegal activities.
The demolition exercise is being carried out under a newly signed anti-cultism law, which empowers the state government to act against properties connected to criminal enterprises. Governor Okpebholo’s administration has emphasized that the demolitions are both a legal and moral imperative to safeguard public safety.
Still, the policy has drawn criticism from some who argue that the destruction of physical assets may be excessive or irreversible, especially in cases where future evidence may cast doubt on the initial justification for demolition. Critics also suggest that such properties could be repurposed for public use rather than destroyed.
Supporters of the policy, however, maintain that demolishing the buildings sends a strong message that crime will not be tolerated and that assets linked to criminality should not be preserved or returned under political influence.
Legal experts note that while the demolitions are sanctioned by law, affected property owners have the right to challenge the action in court. If a court finds the demolition to be unjust or unlawful, compensation may be awarded.
In a follow-up measure, Governor Okpebholo announced that the land where the Ogheghe building once stood will be used to construct a police station, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to enhancing public safety and rule of law.
This latest move aligns Edo State with other Nigerian states—such as Anambra, Ekiti, and Enugu—that have taken similar hardline stances against criminal hideouts in recent years.
