Edo Police Arrest Students in Igbinedion School Bullying Case
The Edo State Police Command has arrested all students implicated in a bullying and violent assault incident at Igbinedion Education Centre, following public condemnation of viral video footage depicting the attack.
Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem confirmed the arrests on Thursday, stating they resulted from a “thorough and painstaking investigation.” All suspects are minors and will be arraigned before a Family Court, in compliance with juvenile justice and child protection statutes.
The initial conflict stemmed from a prior dispute between two female students and a male student. Police reports indicate the male student made a provocative remark about the girls’ deceased father, a comment which allegedly precipitated the after-school assault.
According to the police statement, “Angered by the remark, the girls attacked the student after school hours. When a parent stepped in, they turned on her, physically confronting her and tearing her clothes.” The school management has since expelled the involved female students.
The situation escalated further the following day when the son of the assaulted woman carried out a retaliatory attack. “The male student, whose mother had been assaulted, attacked the victim seen in the viral video in what has been identified as a retaliatory act. The victim is the brother of the girls involved in the earlier assault,” police added.
In response to the incident, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika has mandated a statewide reinforcement of the Operation Safe Schools Initiative. The goal is to address security lapses and improve supervision in secondary schools across the state.
Furthermore, the command’s advocacy unit, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), will intensify sensitisation and reorientation programmes for students and school authorities. These measures aim to prevent a recurrence of such violence and promote a safer learning environment.
The families of the affected students, identified as the Asoro and Uyi families, have issued formal apologies for the incident. The case remains under investigation as preparations for the juveniles’ arraignment in Family Court continue.
