crime

Edo Police Arrest 21 Students Over Foiled Cult Attack

Published

12 months ago

November 15, 2025

Q Tinny

Edo Police have arrested 21 students aged 14–17 for a foiled cult attack on a Benin City school, recovering weapons and launching further investigation

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

Also read: Edo Police Arrest Woman for Fake Kidnap Plot

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the students—aged between 14 and 17—were apprehended after police foiled an attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi off the Benin–Sapele Road.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on 12 November 2025 at about 1:45 pm, when operatives attached to the Loveworld Division, acting on credible intelligence, mobilised swiftly to the school.

“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,” Yamu said.

The arrested teenagers include: 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), Orodge Miracle (15), 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).

Others fled the scene.

Police said they recovered four knives and a chain from the suspects. A preliminary investigation revealed that the group had earlier circulated a threatening voice note, vowing to “stage a war”, burn down the school, and inflict harm on students and staff.

Both school principals have been invited for questioning.

The suspects have since been arraigned in court, where eight were remanded in custody, while 13 were released to their parents and guardians, who are required to produce them in court on 28 November 2025.

Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s social circles, warning that juvenile cultism remains a major driver of school violence in the state.

He also encouraged school authorities to strengthen discipline and report suspicious behaviour promptly.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to securing schools under the Nigeria Police Force Safe Schools Initiative.

The crackdown comes months after Governor Monday Okpebholo signed a new anti-cultism law on 24 January 2025, replacing the 2018 legislation and imposing stiffer penalties. The law prescribes:

21-year prison term for cult members and their sponsors

10 years imprisonment and property demolition for anyone harbouring cultists

Death penalty in cases where cult activity results in death

Also read: Edo Police Rescue Girl, Foil Kidnap Attempt

Authorities say the strengthened law has contributed to a noticeable decline in cult-related activities across the state.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

16 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

Also read: NRS Assures Taxpayers VAT Remains at 7.5% Amid Tax Reform Concerns

The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.