The Edo State Police Command has arrested and prosecuted 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School for alleged involvement in cult-related activities and an attempted attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School in Benin City.

In a statement on Saturday, the Command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, said the suspects—aged 14 to 17—were apprehended after police operatives from the Loveworld Division acted on credible intelligence and moved swiftly to stop the planned assault. The students reportedly arrived at the school in a convoy of motorcycles, armed with knives and chains, allegedly intending to carry out violent acts.

Yamu disclosed that the police recovered four knives and a chain from the suspects, adding that a preliminary investigation showed they had earlier circulated a threatening voice note vowing to “stage a war,” burn down the school, and attack students and staff. Twenty-one students were arrested, and while eight have been remanded by the court, 13 were released to their parents pending further hearing on November 28, 2025.

Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika urged parents to closely monitor their children’s behaviour and friendships, while calling on school authorities to enhance discipline and promptly report suspicious activities. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to securing all schools under the Safe Schools Initiative. The arrest comes months after Governor Monday Okpebholo signed a stricter anti-cultism law imposing up to 21 years in prison for cultists, their sponsors, and accomplices, with harsher punishments where cult activities lead to loss of life.