Police Arrest 14 JSS Student Cultists READ

The police in Benin, Edo state, have announced that 14 Junior Secondary School (JSS) students have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in cult-related activities in the state capital. Policemen following a tip-off arrested the students when they stormed Oguola Secondary School, located at St. Savioir Street, Benin City.

The students whose ages range between 12 and 15 are being screened at the state criminal Investigation Department, SCID, police headquarters, Benin City, PM News reports.

The school principal, Ehanire Reuben disclosed that eight of the students were arrested at flash spots in the school compound which prompted the the police team to conduct a search of other students in the classrooms, hence the arrests.

The principal also said that items recovered from the students suggest that they were part of various cult groups in the state.

The suspected cultists were believed to have previously attacked a student teacher in the school and various other people in the area. The suspects allegedly took personal items including a cell phone and wallet from the teacher.

An Edo police command spokesperson, DSP Stephem Onwochei, confirming the reports said the police stormed the school following a tip-off and on arresting the students discovered they were underage.

The DSP also said items found on the students meant a proper investigation would be carried out. The spokesman added that police in the state were determined to rid the region of cultism and other crimes.

For the best part of the last two weeks, Edo State has been marred by fighting between cult groups. The major protagonists have been the Eiye, Black Axe, and Maphite groups.

The renewed cult war was believed to have started at the end of April, when the three major cult groups were involved in a bloody clash that claimed the lives of no fewer than 12 people

in different locations in Benin City, the state capital.