Edo Government Orders Arrests After School Bullying Video Surfaces
The Edo State Government has directed the arrest and prosecution of students implicated in a violent bullying incident at Igbinedion Secondary School in Benin City. The action follows the widespread circulation of a video depicting the assault, which officials described as unacceptable within the state’s educational system.
The footage, shared widely on social media on Friday, shows two male students repeatedly attacking a classmate who had fallen to the ground. One assailant is seen dragging the victim by his uniform and stomping on his chest and head as he cries out. A third student, who recorded the scene, can be heard pleading with the attackers to stop. The graphic video generated significant public condemnation and demands for accountability.
In a statement on Monday, Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, confirmed that the government had instructed the police to ensure all responsible parties are prosecuted. “Three students were involved in the incident, and the Commissioner of Police has asked that the parents and the students report to the command. They will definitely face prosecution,” Afegbua stated during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He addressed the fact that the suspects are minors, noting that the legal framework includes provisions for such cases. “Even though they are minors, there are juvenile correctional centres where they can be kept if the courts make a pronouncement regarding prosecution,” he explained. Afegbua stressed that both parents and school authorities must assume greater responsibility for student conduct, calling the incident “deeply disturbing.”
Governor Monday Okpebholo has reportedly directed the Edo State Police Command to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice is served. “The governor has asked the police to press charges and also investigate the general conduct within the school to ensure this kind of behaviour is completely eradicated,” Afegbua added.
Furthermore, the state government has established a five-member investigative committee to examine the full circumstances of the bullying and gather testimonies from witnesses. The commissioner revealed that the committee has already begun work and will collect statements, including anonymous accounts, before submitting its findings. “People are already coming forward with additional information about similar incidents that we were not previously aware of. This suggests that there may be more to it than meets the eye,” he said.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about school safety and youth violence in Nigeria. While the swift governmental response aims to deter such incidents, the investigation into the school’s overall environment may prompt broader reforms regarding student welfare and disciplinary measures in Edo State.
