The Edo State Police Command has called on the parents of a student of Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City, who was allegedly assaulted by fellow students in a viral video, to report to the police and file an official complaint.
The police said the move would enable authorities to properly identify the victim and commence an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the management of the private secondary school has expelled two students accused of carrying out the assault.
The action followed widespread public outrage after a video circulating on social media showed two male students attacking a classmate while another student recorded the incident.
In the footage, which trended on X, one of the attackers was seen grabbing the victim by his school suit and stomping on his chest as the boy cried out in pain, while the student filming the scene pleaded with the assailants to stop.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, the school management condemned the incident, describing the behaviour as unacceptable and inconsistent with the institution’s core values.
The school reiterated that it maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment, intimidation, cultism and other forms of violence.
According to the statement, the school launched an immediate internal investigation after the incident came to its attention and subsequently expelled the students found responsible.
“The students involved in the assault have been expelled with immediate effect. Such behaviour will not be tolerated in our school community,” the statement said.
The management added that the matter had been reported to the appropriate authorities and assured that it was cooperating with ongoing efforts to address the situation, noting that the students involved are minors.
It also said support was being provided to those affected while the school works with their families to ensure the issue is handled appropriately.
A staff member of the school, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the parents of the students accused of the assault had reportedly approached the victim’s family in an attempt to resolve the matter amicably, but declined to reveal further details due to the sensitive nature of the case.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Edo State, Eno Ikoedem, urged the victim and his parents to come forward and lodge a formal complaint to enable the police begin a full investigation.
“Bullying is a criminal offence. Nobody has the right to assault or dehumanise another person in such a manner.
That child is someone’s son, regardless of whatever may have happened,” Ikoedem said.
Also reacting, human rights activist Kola Edokpayi described the incident as a disturbing example of cruelty and urged the school authorities to enforce strict disciplinary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
