The police in Edo State have arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School along Limit Road off Benin-Sapele Road, for taking part in cultism.
This was announced in a press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Edo Police Command, Moses Yamu.
According to Yamu, the arrested students were aged between 14 and 17 years
The PPRO said the arrest was made after the suspects attacked Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City.
The police spokesman said the suspects rode in a convoy of motorcycles to Osemwende Public Secondary School on November 12, 2025, around 1:45 p.m. in a bid to carry out attacks on some targets.
However, policemen from the Loveworld Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, got wind of the plot and swiftly mobilised to the school. They promptly arrested the 21 suspects, while others escaped.
The police said they recovered four knives and a chain from the suspects.
The police learnt that the suspects had earlier circulated a voice note, threatening to storm the school to cause mayhem and burn it down.
They allegedly threatened to harm students and teachers as well. They were on their way to achieve their aim, but for the intervention of the police.
The principals of the two schools were invited by the police as part of their investigations.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned in court. Eight of them were remanded while 13 were released to their parents/guardians, who will produce them on November 28, 2025, for the next court sitting.”
The state police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, charged parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards more closely..
Agbonika also urged school authorities to strengthen discipline and report suspicious gatherings or threats promptly to the police.
He noted that a collaboration of the schools and the police was necessary to tackle juvenile delinquency and violence in schools.
It would be recalled that the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, in January this year, signed a new anti-cultism law that imposes harsh penalties on convicts of cultism.
The new law prescribes a 21-year jail term for cult members and their sponsors. Those who provide a hiding place for cultists can receive a 10-year prison sentence and have their property demolished.
The prescribes the death penalty in cases where cult activities lead to death.
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