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The Edo State Government has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute students involved in a viral bullying incident at Igbinedion Secondary School, declaring that acts of violence among students will not be tolerated.
The incident gained national attention after a disturbing video circulated online on Friday showing two students physically attacking a fellow student who was lying helplessly on the ground.
In the footage, one of the alleged attackers was seen dragging the victim by his school uniform before stepping on his chest while the boy cried out in pain. Another student, believed to be recording the scene, could be heard pleading with the attackers to stop.
The video quickly sparked outrage across social media, prompting immediate disciplinary action from the school management, which expelled the students involved in the assault.
Speaking during an interview on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Monday, the state Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, confirmed that the government had ordered further action against the students.
According to him, the state authorities are determined to ensure that those responsible face legal consequences.
“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,” Afegbua said.
He explained that although the students involved are minors, the law still provides appropriate measures to address such cases.
“Even though they are minors, there are juvenile correctional centres where they can be kept if the courts decide on a pronouncement regarding prosecution,” he added.
Afegbua described the incident as deeply disturbing and stressed that both parents and school authorities share responsibility for monitoring students’ behaviour.
“This is a boarding school, so students are under the supervision of their teachers while parents are away,” he said.
“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 also revealed that the administration of Monday Okpebholo has taken the issue seriously and instructed the state Commissioner of Police to begin legal proceedings against the students involved while also investigating the broader situation within the school.
He noted that the government is concerned about the safety of students and wants to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
“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.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state government has begun receiving additional information suggesting that similar cases may have occurred in the past but were not reported.
“People are coming forward with additional information about similar incidents we were not previously aware of. These kinds of things are recurring, which means there is more to it than meets the eye,” he explained.
To address the situation thoroughly, the government has set up a five-member investigative committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the overall environment within the Igbinedion Education Centre.
According to Afegbua, the panel has already started collecting evidence and statements from witnesses. Some individuals are also expected to provide information anonymously as part of the investigation.
“We will gather all relevant information and evaluate it based on what is expected of an institution,” he added.
Authorities say the findings of the committee will guide further actions aimed at strengthening discipline and ensuring the safety of students in schools across the state.
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