Unmasking Evil: Enugu Government Demolishes Fake Church Linked to Rituals and Kidnappings

 

Criminal Hideout Disguised as Worship Centre Demolished in Onicha-Enugu-Ezike

A notorious hub of criminal activity posing as a religious sanctuary was brought to the ground on Thursday as the Enugu State Government intensified efforts to dismantle the growing wave of organized crime veiled in religious and traditional practices.

The facility, situated in Onicha-Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, had long masqueraded as a worship center. However, recent investigations uncovered a grim reality behind its spiritual façade. The building, run by a man identified as Chinedu Ezedike—who called himself a prophet—was reportedly the epicenter of nefarious activities, including ritual practices, kidnappings, and other coordinated crimes.

Security operatives, backed by local authorities, carried out the demolition following a thorough investigation into the center’s operations. According to official sources, no trace of legitimate religious activity was found on the premises. What appeared to be a place of worship was, in fact, a well-concealed operational base for activities that had instilled fear and uncertainty in surrounding communities.

Government insiders revealed that the operation was part of a broader initiative by the Enugu State Government aimed at rooting out criminal elements exploiting spiritual or cultural platforms. These individuals—ranging from self-styled prophets to native doctors—have increasingly been using religious authority as a smokescreen to prey on vulnerable populations and propagate insecurity.

While the building once attracted a steady flow of people—some in desperate search of spiritual solutions, others allegedly complicit—residents now claim that unease always accompanied its activities. One local woman, speaking under condition of anonymity, recalled hearing unsettling noises from the premises at odd hours. “We knew something wasn’t right, but no one dared to speak out,” she said. “We thank the government for stepping in.”

Another resident described the demolition as “long overdue,” stating that the so-called worship center was an open secret among villagers. “Everyone suspected it wasn’t a real church, but the fear of retaliation kept us quiet,” he remarked. “This move by the government gives us hope and sends a strong message that no one is above the law.”

According to community leaders, the impact of the center’s dismantling has been immediate. Families previously too afraid to report missing relatives or suspicious activities have now begun opening up to authorities. The atmosphere, once thick with silence and suspicion, is beginning to shift.

Government spokespersons affirmed that more operations of this nature are underway. A senior official in the state security apparatus stated, “We’re not just reacting; we’re systematically identifying, investigating, and neutralizing criminal fronts hiding behind religious or cultural facades. The people deserve to live without fear.”

Such criminal enterprises have become a blight on the state’s efforts to restore order and development. Authorities note that the challenge has been the covert nature of these operations. By blending into the social fabric under the banner of faith and tradition, these criminal actors have been difficult to identify without tip-offs and extensive surveillance.

The self-proclaimed prophet, Chinedu Ezedike, remains under investigation. Officials are yet to disclose whether he has been taken into custody or is on the run, but sources say a manhunt is already in progress if the latter proves true. Several individuals associated with the center have reportedly been detained for questioning.

As the dust settled over the ruins of the demolished building, a sense of relief rippled through the community. Children who had been kept indoors after dark due to growing insecurity now play outside again. Farmers, once wary of early morning trips to their fields, have resumed their routines with renewed confidence.

The state government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding citizens and eradicating crime—particularly when masked by societal institutions meant to offer hope and healing. Through consistent and targeted interventions, authorities hope to restore trust between the government and the people, ensuring that faith-based and traditional institutions are not manipulated for dark purposes.

Efforts to track down similar centers are being intensified across the state. Intelligence teams are actively engaging with community members to encourage the reporting of suspicious activities, even those cloaked in the guise of religion.

As one local elder poignantly stated, “Religion should be a light in the darkness, not a cover for evil. What happened here is a wake-up call—not just for the government, but for all of us.”