In a bold move to tackle the growing menace of cultism among secondary school students, a joint operation by security agencies and the Sagamu Youth Association has resulted in the arrest of 20 suspected student cultists in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The operation, carried out on Tuesday morning, targeted identified hideouts, including Ibu River and secret meeting spots behind Sagamu High School. The affected schools include Sagamu High School, Makun High School, Sonyindo Community High School, Batoro Community Grammar School, and Muslim High School.
According to reports, the crackdown followed alarms raised by school authorities and community youths over an emerging gang of student cultists, who were causing unrest by extorting valuables from fellow students and engaging in violent activities in public.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested students are linked to cult groups known as Pankere Girls (P.G.) and Junior Birds (J.B.). The police have commenced a thorough investigation to determine the extent of cult activities within these schools and prevent further occurrences.
To combat student cultism, the Sagamu Youth Association and security agencies have called on the state government, local authorities, and parents to support the fight by:
- *Strengthening School Security*: Monitoring and curbing cult recruitment activities.
- *Implementing Mentorship Programs*: Engaging students positively through youth empowerment programs.
- *Enforcing Disciplinary Measures*: Implementing stricter measures in schools while prioritizing counseling and rehabilitation for affected students.
- *Encouraging Community Vigilance*: Reporting suspicious activities linked to cultism.
This latest development highlights the urgent need for government-backed interventions to support security agencies and youth organizations in their efforts to rid Sagamu of cult-related violence. Security experts and youth leaders have urged the Ogun State Government to implement long-term solutions, including school reformation policies, community policing initiatives, and robust youth development programs.¹