21 teenage Sec School Students ages 14 – 17 arrested while planning to lunch attack

The Edo State Police Command has taken 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School into custody over alleged involvement in cult-related activities and an attempted attack on a neighbouring school in Benin City.

Police spokesperson CSP Moses Yamu said in a statement on Saturday that the suspects, all aged between 14 and 17, were arrested after officers intercepted them while they attempted to invade Osemwende Public Secondary School along Oghoghibi, off Benin–Sapele Road.

According to the command, the teenagers were allegedly mobilising to launch a violent assault on the school when operatives acted on credible intelligence and moved in to prevent the attack.

Yamu said investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of their activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved.

The statement read: “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 17 years, 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 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), Marvelous 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.”

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has appealed to parents and guardians to be more vigilant about the activities and associations of their children, both inside and outside school.

He warned that early attention and guidance are crucial in preventing young people from being drawn into violent groups.

Agbonika also urged school administrators to enforce stricter discipline, promptly report any suspicious gatherings or threats, and maintain strong cooperation with law enforcement to curb juvenile crime and protect learning environments.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding residents—particularly students—under the Nigeria Police Force Safe Schools Initiative.

As part of broader efforts to tackle cultism, Governor Monday Okpebholo signed a new anti-cultism law on January 24, 2025, replacing the 2018 legislation with more severe sanctions.

The law prescribes 21 years’ imprisonment for cult members and their sponsors, while individuals who harbour cultists face 10 years in jail and possible demolition of their property. It also introduces the death penalty for cases in which cult activities result in loss of life.