The government of Edo State has announced plans to prosecute the parents of students involved in a viral assault video recorded at Igbinedion Education Centre, as authorities ordered the police to investigate the incident.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, during an appearance on Sunrise Daily.
Afegbua described the incident as troubling and confirmed that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo had established a committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.
“It is quite disturbing when we heard it. We were just wondering what could have warranted this,” Afegbua said.
“It is very unacceptable; there would be no justification for that kind of treatment. We took an action that led to the expulsion of the students involved.
“It is not just about the expulsion; we also directed the police to make sure that those students are properly arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
He strongly condemned the viral footage and assured that those responsible for the assault would face legal consequences.
Afegbua further revealed that the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had assured the state government that the parents of the students implicated in the bullying incident would report to the police headquarters in Benin City.
According to him, the police chief is determined to ensure that the culprits are prosecuted once investigations are completed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“It is a wake-up call to parents and also teachers because one would expect an educational centre like Igbinedion Centre to naturally have its own code of ethics in terms of discipline, monitoring, and internal vigilance on their students.
“But for the fact that one of them videoed that incident and sent it out, perhaps no one would have known such an incident happened,” Afegbua stated.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, shows two students repeatedly attacking a boy believed to be in a junior class.
In the footage, the attackers were seen beating, kicking and dragging the victim across the floor, while one of them used a belt during the assault. Another student was also seen stomping on the victim’s chest while the boy cried out in pain.
During the incident, the victim could be heard screaming as another student, believed to be recording the video, pleaded with the attackers to stop.
Authorities said the motive behind the assault had not yet been determined as investigations continue.
What you should know
Cases of bullying in Nigerian schools have increasingly drawn public attention, especially when incidents are captured on video and shared on social media.
Education authorities often respond with disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion, while law enforcement may investigate when physical harm is involved.
The Edo State Government’s decision to involve the police and hold parents accountable reflects a broader effort to strengthen discipline and child protection within schools.
