Police authorities in Edo State have detained 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School after officers disrupted an alleged cult-related attack on a neighbouring school in Benin City.
The incident occurred on 12 November, when operatives from the Loveworld Division responded to intelligence suggesting that a group of teenagers had mobilised on motorcycles and were heading to Osemwende Public Secondary School.
According to police sources, the students, aged between 14 and 17, had allegedly circulated an audio threat vowing to “stage a war” and unleash violence on the school community.
Officers arrived at the scene around 1:45 p.m. and intercepted the group before any assault could take place.
The swift intervention resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects, while several others managed to flee. Police also recovered three knives during the operation.
A senior officer familiar with the investigation said the teenagers appeared to be part of a coordinated plan.
“The intelligence we received indicated that this was not a spur-of-the-moment act,” the officer noted.
“These young people had made threats and were moving in a formation that suggested preparation for violence.”
The arrested students have already been arraigned in court.
Eight of them were remanded in custody, while the remaining 13 were released to their parents pending a further hearing scheduled for 28 November.
The principals of both schools have been invited by investigators to provide additional information, as police continue to probe whether any adults may have influenced the students’ behaviour.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged families to monitor their children’s activities more closely, stressing that early vigilance could help curb youth involvement in dangerous groups.
He also appealed to school administrators to strengthen oversight, report threats promptly, and work closely with security agencies.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the Command remains committed to safeguarding learning environments under the Nigeria Police Force’s Safe Schools Initiative, adding that proactive measures remain key to preventing youth-led violence.
The case has amplified growing concerns over the rise of cult-related activities among teenagers in parts of Benin, with security officials warning that early intervention is essential to halt further escalation.