8 Secondary School Students Arrested for Alleged Cult Activities in Ogun State

In a decisive move against cult-related activities in schools, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have apprehended eight secondary school students of Ifo High School. The students, aged between 15 and 16 years, were allegedly involved in gang-related disturbances and extortion within the school premises.

Ogun Police Clamp Down on School Cultism

The arrest took place on Friday, March 21, 2025, at approximately 12:05 p.m. following a distress report from the school’s administration. According to police spokesperson Omolola Odutola, the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Alako Oluwole, and a teacher, Mr. Akinseku Oloruntoba Julius, alerted authorities about a group of students engaging in cult-related activities.

The students, identified as Bennett Bolawatife (15), Aluko Taiwo (15), Kehinde Aluko (15), Omolaso Waris (16), Akinola Ifeoluwa (16), Azeez Hassan (16), Kilani Babatunde, also known as “Soldier” (16), and Fasedemi Samuel (16), were apprehended by officers from the Ifo Division in collaboration with the school’s authorities.

Odutola revealed that the students were part of a secret cult group known as “Future Guys (F.T.G.),” allegedly initiated by two senior students, Ebenezer Ope and Ebenezer Tobi, both in Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1. Preliminary investigations suggest that the group engaged in acts of intimidation, extortion, and general misconduct, disrupting the learning environment at the school.

Nigeria Governors Forum Declines Stance In Rivers State Emergency Declaration

Authorities Take Decisive Action Against Student Cultism

The police spokesperson assured that further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the group’s activities and prevent further occurrences. She added that after the preliminary inquiry, the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for deeper scrutiny.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has taken a personal interest in the case. He has directed that the arrested students be brought before him on the next working day for further interrogation. The commissioner also stressed the importance of counseling and mentoring programs as part of efforts to reform the students.

Additionally, Ogunlowo reaffirmed the state police command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, particularly in educational institutions. He called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to join forces in the fight against cultism, emphasizing that collective efforts are crucial in safeguarding the future of young students.

Community Reacts to Rising Cultism in Schools

The recent arrest has sparked concerns among parents and educators regarding the increasing involvement of students in cult-related activities. Many believe that peer influence, societal pressures, and lack of proper guidance contribute to the rise of such incidents.

Speaking on the issue, a concerned parent, Mrs. Olayemi Adebayo, expressed her disappointment, stating, “It is alarming that secondary school students are getting involved in cultism at such a young age. Schools and parents need to work together to ensure children stay away from such negative influences.”

Similarly, Mr. Timothy Olukoya, an educationist, urged the government to implement stricter policies to curb cult activities in schools. He emphasized that “strict monitoring, school security measures, and community awareness campaigns are needed to prevent such cases from escalating.”

Security experts suggest that schools should implement stricter monitoring mechanisms, while psychologists advocate for early intervention programs to prevent teenagers from being drawn into cultism.

Meanwhile, parents of the arrested students have been urged to cooperate with authorities as investigations continue. The school management has also promised to intensify efforts in sensitizing students on the dangers of cultism and violence.

The Growing Threat of Cultism in Nigerian Schools

Cultism in secondary schools has become an increasing menace across Nigeria, raising alarms about the safety of students and the future of education in the country. Originally associated with higher institutions, secret cult groups have now infiltrated secondary schools, luring young students into criminal activities.

Experts believe that various factors contribute to this disturbing trend. Some students are drawn into cultism due to peer pressure, while others join for a sense of belonging or protection against bullying. The glorification of gang culture in certain communities and on social media platforms has also contributed to the growing influence of cult groups among teenagers.

The Nigerian government has made several attempts to address the issue, including the introduction of anti-cultism laws and school-based awareness programs. However, despite these efforts, cult activities continue to spread, with many schools struggling to control the situation.

Police and Government Urged to Strengthen Measures

Following the arrest of the eight students, education stakeholders and security experts have called for stronger measures to prevent cult-related activities in secondary schools.

A retired police officer, Mr. Johnson Oladipo, suggested that authorities should conduct regular surprise inspections in schools to detect and dismantle cult groups before they become deeply rooted. “Cultism thrives in secrecy, so the best approach is early detection and intervention. Schools should have strict disciplinary measures in place and collaborate with law enforcement agencies,” he said.

On his part, a legal expert, Barrister Adewale Ogunseye, emphasized the importance of enforcing strict penalties against cultism. He noted that while reformation is necessary, the law must take its course. “There should be a balance between correction and punishment. Those involved in violent cult activities must face appropriate legal consequences to serve as a deterrent to others,” he stated.

The Way Forward

To effectively combat cultism in schools, educationists recommend a multi-faceted approach that involves schools, parents, security agencies, and the government. Schools must adopt proactive strategies such as student mentorship programs, anti-cultism clubs, and stronger guidance and counseling units.

Parents are also advised to take a more active role in their children’s lives by monitoring their activities and ensuring they associate with the right peers. At the government level, more funding should be allocated to educational institutions for improved security measures, while community leaders should organize awareness campaigns to discourage young people from joining cult groups.

As the Ogun State Police Command continues its investigation into the activities of the Future Guys (F.T.G.) cult group, the incident serves as a wake-up call for other schools to be vigilant and proactive in tackling cultism. The safety and future of young students depend on the collective efforts of parents, educators, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers.

Ogun State authorities have assured the public that they remain committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for students and will continue to work towards eradicating cultism in schools.