Our reporter
The Edo State Government has demolished a building believed to be the national headquarters of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), widely known as Aye, in Benin City. The demolition, which took place in the Amagba community, is part of the government’s intensified crackdown on cultism following a recent spate of deadly clashes in the State.
A video of the demolition has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread public discourse and drawing attention to the state’s commitment to curbing organised cult activities.
According to local sources and confirmed by Uptown Press, the structure was identified as a major operational base for the NBM. The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, ordered the demolition in line with his administration’s ongoing strategy to dismantle the physical infrastructure linked to cult groups and other criminal organisations.
This action comes in the wake of a violent conflict between rival cult groups that has reportedly left at least ten people dead in recent weeks. The state government had earlier vowed to respond with strong measures to restore peace and security, and the demolition of the alleged NBM headquarters marks a significant step in that direction.
Speaking on the development, a senior official from the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, who supervised the demolition, noted that the action was taken based on credible intelligence from security agencies linking the building to cult activities.
“We cannot allow our communities to be overrun by criminals and cultists. The Governor has made it clear: any property found to be associated with such groups will not be spared,” the official stated.
Residents of Amagba, while expressing concern over the increasing cult-related violence, largely welcomed the government’s intervention. “We live in fear most nights because of these clashes,” said a local resident who requested anonymity. “It’s good the government is taking serious steps. We hope this will restore sanity.”
The Neo Black Movement, which claims to be a non-violent socio-cultural organisation, has long faced accusations of being a front for the Aye confraternity, a group notorious for its involvement in violent crimes and cult clashes across Nigeria. Authorities have repeatedly linked the group to extortion, armed robbery, and killings, particularly in tertiary institutions and urban centres.
Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office with a security-focused agenda, reiterated in a recent press briefing that his administration would not tolerate any form of cultism. “We are drawing a red line. This state will not be a haven for criminals masquerading as social groups,” he declared.
Security operatives are expected to continue investigations into other suspected cult bases across the State, with more demolitions anticipated in the coming weeks as part of a broader effort to dismantle criminal networks.
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