Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School, Benin City, for suspected cult activities.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, who disclosed this in a statement on said the students were between 14 and 17 years old.

According to Yamu, the arrest was made following a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi, off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City by the suspects.

The statement reads, “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.

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“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 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 namely – Promise Afekokhian (16 years), Samuel John (16 years), Godstime Sunday (15 years), Basit Kareem (14 years), Destiny Lucky (15 years), Miracle Peter (16 years), Victor Innocent (14 years), Osazee Efe (16 years), Usman Adamu (17 years) and Orodge Miracle (15 years).

“Others are Godspower Agharevba (16 years), Favour Ogunde (16 years) Clinton Oghenetega (17 years), Wisdom Ehimen (17 years), Zenith Jonathan (17 years), Steven Monday (14 years), Ogbebor Calistus (17 years), Marvelous Imadefe (15 years), Success Ogar (16 years), Osaro Osama Praise (13 years) and Miracle Bassey (16 years) while others escaped.

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“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 thier parents/guardians who will inturn produce them on 28th November 2025 for the next court sitting.”

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the activities and groups their children associate with, both within and outside school environments.

He also called on school authorities to strengthen discipline, report suspicious gatherings or threats promptly, and collaborate closely with the police to prevent juvenile delinquency and violence in schools.

The CP said the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all residents, especially in schools across the state inline with the Nigeria Police Force Safe Schools Initiative.

The Joint Military Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), has apprehended a suspected gunrunner and recovered several arms in Plateau State.

The suspect, identified as Ishaya Musa, was arrested at the Jebbu Bassa Bypass checkpoint in Bassa Local Government Area on November 14, 2025.

The Spokesman for the Military Task Force, Major Samson Zhakom, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday.

Zhakom said troops recovered several weapons from the suspect, including six fabricated single-barrel rifles, two fabricated revolver rifles, one Dane gun, one expended cartridge, and other sundry items.

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According to him, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb illicit arms trafficking and enhance national security.

“The suspect and recovered items are in custody for further action,” the statement said.

The military urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies, especially as the harvest and yuletide season approaches.

“This operation highlights the unwavering commitment of JTF OPEP to protecting law-abiding citizens, preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons, and maintaining peace and stability within the Joint Operations Area,” the statement added.

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In another local government in the state, the same task force raided a suspected gunrunner’s hideout in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.

The operation was carried out on November 13 at Fashoron Village in Daffo District by Sector 2 (Sub-Sector 2) of the task force.

Our correspondent reports that Plateau State has experienced security challenges for many years, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to restore order.

The suspect’s arrest is the latest in a series of security operations by the joint task force, during which several individuals have been apprehended for alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping and other crimes.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old man, Mr. Edward Odega, for allegedly defiling his three daughters in Delta State.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest on Saturday in Asaba.

According to Edafe, the abuse, which had gone on for seven years, came to light after the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogborikoko Division, CSP Temi Agbede Zuokumor, conducted an enlightenment outreach in a school, during which one of the victims disclosed her ordeal.

He said, “The Command has arrested a father who had been defiling his three daughters for the past seven years.

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“The three children are now aged 13, 15 and 24. The disclosure by one of them during the DPO’s school outreach led to the arrest of the father.”

Edafe added that the three children are currently receiving medical attention.

During interrogation, Odega confessed to the crime, admitting: “I have three daughters, and I started sleeping with my first daughter when she was 12 years old.”

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He also admitted to defiling the other two daughters, aged 13 and 15.

Edafe noted that the suspect is “in custody” and will be “charged to court to face full prosecution” in line with the state’s laws on sexual offences.

In October, two fathers, Azeez Lamidi and Oyewole Adamolekun, were arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly impregnating their daughters after multiple incidents of sexual abuse.
(PUNCH)