The Edo State Police Command has apprehended 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School, located along Limit Road off Benin-Sapele Road, over alleged involvement in cult activities.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, Moses Yamu, said in a statement on Saturday that the students, aged between 14 and 17, were arrested following a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School at Oghoghibi, also along Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City.
According to the statement, “On 12th November 2025 at about 1:45 pm, operatives attached to the Loveworld Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, acting on credible intelligence, swiftly mobilised to Osemwende Public Secondary School, where students suspected of engaging in cultism from Ogioma Public Secondary School stormed the premises in a convoy of motorcycles, allegedly to carry out violent acts. The prompt response of the police led to the arrest of 21 of the invading students.”
The arrested students include Promise Afekokhian (16), Samuel John (16), Godstime Sunday (15), Basit Kareem (14), Destiny Lucky (15), Miracle Peter (16), Victor Innocent (14), Osazee Efe (16), Usman Adamu (17), Orodge Miracle (15), Godspower Agharevba (16), Favour Ogunde (16), Clinton Oghenetega (17), Wisdom Ehimen (17), Zenith Jonathan (17), Steven Monday (14), Ogbebor Calistus (17), Marvelous Imadefe (15), Success Ogar (16), Osaro Osama Praise (13), and Miracle Bassey (16), while others managed to escape.
Police recovered four knives and a chain from the suspects. Preliminary investigations revealed that they had circulated a threatening voice note boasting of plans to “stage a war,” burn down the school, and harm students and staff,” which the police prevented from being carried out.
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Both school principals have been invited for questioning, while the arrested students have been arraigned in court. Eight of the 21 suspects were remanded, and 13 were released to their parents or guardians, who are required to produce them on 28th November 2025 for the next court sitting.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities closely and for schools to report suspicious gatherings promptly. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between school authorities and police to curb juvenile delinquency and violence.
The CP noted that the command remains committed to protecting residents, particularly students, under the Nigeria Police Force Safe Schools Initiative.
The arrests follow the implementation of a new anti-cultism law signed by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on 24th January 2025, which replaced the 2018 law. The legislation imposes a 21-year jail term for cult members and their sponsors, a 10-year sentence and property demolition for those who harbor cultists, and even the death penalty for cult-related deaths. Authorities say the law has significantly contributed to reducing cult-related incidents in the state.