The Edo State Government has said the students involved in a viral bullying incident at the Igbinedion Secondary School will be prosecuted
The video circulating on social media showed two male students physically as.saulting a fellow student who lay helpless on the ground
In the footage, one of the alleged bullies was seen grabbing the victim by his suit and stomping on his chest as the boy cried in pain, while a third student, believed to be recording, could be heard pleading with the attackers to stop. The clip sparked outrage, prompting the school to expel the students involved.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, Channels Television, Kassim Afegbua, Edo State Commissioner for Information, said the students would face prosecution.
“Three students were involved. And the commissioner of police said the parents and the culprits are expected to come and they would definitely face prosecution,” he stated.
He added that although the students are minors, juvenile correctional centres could be used if the court rules in favor of prosecution.
Afegbua described the incident as “quite worrisome,” emphasizing the responsibilities of parents and teachers.
“This is a boarding school, so students are under the supervision of their teachers while parents are away. But when they return home, how do we find out what they are doing? This boy could have just passed on from the level of physical assault, and we may not have known if videos were not shown. It could have just been another unreported incident.”
The commissioner said the state government is taking the matter very seriously. Governor Monday Okpebholo has directed the Edo police commissioner to press charges and conduct a thorough investigation into conduct at Igbinedion Education Centre.
“Imagine how painful it would be if your child went to school and the next thing you hear is that they passed away, not by their own fault, but because of unholy conduct by seniors or classmates. We are frowning very strongly about this,” Afegbua said.
He added that new information about similar incidents is emerging, suggesting that bullying at the school may be more widespread than initially thought.
A five-man investigative committee has begun gathering statements from witnesses, including those willing to speak anonymously, to evaluate the situation and take appropriate action.
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