By Adesakin Adefemi
The Edo State Government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of students of Igbinedion Education Centre involved in a viral bullying incident. The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kassim Afegbua, described the act as disturbing and unacceptable.
Afegbua made this known on Monday during an interview on Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily. He stated that the government took immediate action after seeing the video, which showed students allegedly bullying a fellow student.
The incident has raised serious concerns among parents and well-meaning Nigerians about discipline in schools and the conduct of students. “It is quite disturbing. When we heard the news and saw the clips of the video, we were wondering what could have warranted such behaviour,” Afegbua said.
He described the act as unacceptable and stressed that there could be no justification for students bullying their peers. “There will be no justification for that kind of treatment. It is very unacceptable,” he added.
According to Afegbua, the state government moved swiftly by expelling the students involved while also directing the police to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. The Edo State Police Command had summoned the school management to hand over the students involved for investigation and possible prosecution.
The police are expecting the parents to bring the students involved, and after investigations, they will be charged in court. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting disciplinary action by the school authorities.
The Edo State Ministry of Education has set up a five-man investigative committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify all students found culpable. Afegbua disclosed that he had also contacted the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that necessary steps were being taken in the investigation.
“I placed a call to the Commissioner of Police this morning to be sure they are taking steps. He told me he is expecting the parents to bring the students involved, and after investigations, they will be charged in court,” he said.
Afegbua described the incident as a wake-up call to parents and teachers, stressing the need for stronger supervision and discipline in schools to prevent similar occurrences. The state government is determined to take a tough stance against bullying and ensure that those responsible face the full wrath of the law.
