Edo State security crackdown involves building demolitions and police intervention

The Edo State government has intensified its campaign against crime, resulting in the demolition of buildings allegedly used for cult activities and organ harvesting. In Uromi, authorities demolished a bungalow belonging to Ebhata Eromosele, a suspect accused of harvesting organs from three young women, one of whom died during the process. Another building in Ewatto was also destroyed for suspected links to cultism.

Simultaneously, security tensions have escalated in Benin City following an industrial strike by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE). Police operatives have occupied the headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and arrested several union officials. The union has threatened to escalate the dispute to a nationwide strike, alleging the brutalization and abduction of its Edo State Chairman, William Uwumarogie.

In a separate development regarding violent crime, Governor Monday Okpebholo announced he will sign the death warrants for four convicts sentenced for a kidnapping at the Vegetable Market in Benin City, provided they do not appeal within 30 days.