Tragedy struck Evboyare community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State after a violent clash between rival cult groups, the Eiye and Maphite confraternities, left one man, identified as Festus, dead.

The Coordinator of the state’s Special Security Squad, Idemudia Noah, confirmed the incident in a statement released through Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Thursday.

According to Noah, investigations linked Felix Aigbedion, an alleged leader of the Maphite group, to the deadly clash. His home has since been sealed off, and he has been declared wanted for allegedly masterminding the attack, which escalated from a community dispute into full-blown cult violence.

When security operatives arrived at the scene, the community was already deserted. Several homes, vehicles, and properties had been destroyed. Two locally-made firearms were also recovered from a poultry house suspected to have served as an armory for the cultists.

In a related operation, officers acting on intelligence stormed an unoccupied house in Egbaen, Egor LGA, where they uncovered a hidden shrine believed to be used for cult initiation rites. The house, owned by Marvellous Adetarami, contained a white casket and other fetish items. It was immediately sealed by the government.

Speaking on the crackdown, Noah said:

“Governor Okpebholo’s government is unwavering in its commitment to rid Edo State of cult-related violence. The sealing of these homes is a clear warning — cultism and criminal networks will no longer have safe havens in Edo State.”

He further revealed that investigators uncovered evidence of extortion during initiation processes, including victims being forced to transfer money to cult members. The police have been briefed, and prosecutions are underway.

Noah also issued a strong warning to cultists across the state: renounce cultism or leave Edo State. He stressed that the government remains determined to restore peace and ensure safety for residents and businesses.