In a decisive move against organized crime, the Enugu State Government on Thursday demolished a facility in Onicha-Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, which had been operating under the guise of a worship center. The site, reportedly run by a self-proclaimed prophet named Chinedu Ezedike, was exposed as a clandestine base for alleged ritual practices, kidnappings, and various other illicit activities.
Investigations conducted by authorities revealed that the establishment lacked any legitimate religious function and was instead being utilized to orchestrate and conceal criminal enterprises, thereby contributing to the escalating insecurity in the region. This demolition is part of a broader, ongoing crackdown by the Enugu State government, specifically targeting individuals—including fraudulent pastors, traditional healers, and spiritualists—who exploit religious and traditional platforms to perpetrate criminal acts.
Local residents, who opted to remain anonymous, expressed strong approval for the government's action, commending it as a courageous step towards re-establishing peace and safeguarding the lives and property of the community. "This sends a strong message that criminality, no matter how cleverly disguised, will not be tolerated in Enugu State," one resident affirmed, reflecting the widespread relief and support for the government's intervention.
