Edo Police Arrest 21 Secondary School Students Over Cultism and Foiled School Attack

The Edo State Police Command has apprehended 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School, aged between 13 and 17, over suspected cult-related activities and a planned violent attack on a neighbouring school in Benin City.

The arrests followed a foiled assault on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi, off Benin–Sapele Road. The suspects allegedly stormed the premises on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, at about 1:45 p.m, in a convoy of motorcycles, intending to cause harm and disrupt learning activities.

Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, officers from Loveworld Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, moved to the scene and successfully arrested 21 suspects, while others fled. During the operation, four knives and a metal chain were recovered from the students.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the students had circulated a threatening voice note in advance, warning of a planned attack to “stage a war,” set the school ablaze, and harm both staff and students.

The principals of both schools have been invited for further questioning. The arrested suspects were arraigned in court, with 8 students remanded, while 13 were released to their parents/guardians, who are expected to present them in court on  November 28, 2025, for the next hearing.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, called on parents and guardians to take an active role in monitoring their children’s behaviour and associations. He further urged school administrators to maintain discipline, report suspicious activities promptly, and collaborate with law enforcement to keep schools safe.

The Edo State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives, especially within educational institutions, in line with the Nigeria Police Force’s Safe Schools Initiative