How police arrested 21 pupils over alleged cultism in Edo | READ DETAILS
21 pupils of Ogioma Public Secondary School along Limit Road off Benin-Sapele Road, in Edo state, have been arrested over alleged cultism.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, the pupils aged between 14 and 17 years old, were arrested following a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City by the suspects.
“The Edo State Police Command has arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School located at Limit road off Benin-Sapele Road, aged between 14 and 17years who are suspected to be cultists.
“This followed a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City.
“On November 12, 2025, at about 1:45 p.m., 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 to be engaged 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, while others escaped.
“Four knives and a chain were recovered from the suspects. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier circulated a threat 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 twenty-one suspects were remanded while 13 were released to their parents/guardians, who will in turn produce them on November 28, 2025, for the next court sitting” the statement read.
