Operatives of the Edo Police Command have arrested 21 secondary school students for allegedly planning a violent cult attack.
The suspects, who are students of Ogioma Public Secondary School, were allegedly planning to attack Osemwende Secondary School located at Oghoghibi off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City.
They were arrested after a tip-off, and weapons such as knives and a chain were recovered from them.
Edo Police spokesman, Moses Yamu, in a statement, said the suspects had circulated a threat voice note, boasting of plans to stage a war, burn down the school, and harm students and staff.
The statement said the students were aged between 14 and 17.
“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, namely: 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), and Orodge Miracle (15).
“Others are Godspower Agharevba (16), Favour Ogunde (16), Clinton Oghenetega (17), Wisdom Ehimen (17), Zenith Jonathan (17), Steven Monday (14), Ogbebor Calistus (17), Marvellous Imadefe (15), Success Ogar (16), Osaro Osama Praise (13), and Miracle Bassey (16), while others escaped.
“Four knives and a chain were recovered from the suspects. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier circulated a threatening voice note, boasting of plans to ‘stage a war,’ burn down the school, and harm students and staff — a threat they attempted to carry out before being contained by police intervention.
“Both school principals have been invited for further questioning, and the arrested suspects have been arraigned in court for prosecution. Eight of the 21 suspects were remanded, while 13 were released to their parents/guardians, who will in turn produce them on 28th November 2025 for the next court sitting.”
Yamu said eight of the suspects have been remanded to the Correctional Centre and 13 released to their parents/guardians.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the activities and groups their children associate with, both within and outside school environments.
He also called on school authorities to strengthen discipline, report suspicious gatherings or threats promptly, and collaborate closely with the police to prevent juvenile delinquency and violence in schools.
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