Nigerian Afrobeat artist Davido has publicly condemned a violent bullying incident at Igbinedion Secondary School in Edo State, following the circulation of a graphic video on social media. The incident, which occurred at the school in Benin City, shows two male students repeatedly assaulting a classmate who had fallen to the ground. One attacker is seen dragging the victim by his uniform and stomping on his chest and head, while a third student records the attack, audibly pleading with the assailants to stop.
The video, which emerged over the weekend, sparked immediate national outrage. Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, reacted on the social media platform X, condemning the behavior in strong terms. His post amplified calls for accountability and highlighted growing public concern over school safety in Nigeria.
In swift response to the video, the management of Igbinedion Secondary School announced the expulsion of the two students directly involved in the physical assault. The student who recorded the incident has been suspended. This disciplinary action was confirmed in a parallel statement from the Edo State Police Command.
Police spokesperson Eno Ikioyedem stated that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has directed the Divisional Police Officer in the Benin area to conduct a full investigation. “The Edo State Police Command strongly condemns acts of bullying, violence, or intimidation among students, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” the command’s declaration read, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for such conduct.
The incident has reignited discussion about the prevalence of bullying in Nigerian schools and the mechanisms in place to protect students. While school authorities and law enforcement have moved to address this specific case, the event underscores the challenges of monitoring student behavior and the potent role of social media in exposing misconduct. The ongoing police investigation will determine if criminal charges are warranted beyond the school’s internal sanctions.
