Edo State Government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of the Igbinedion Education Centre students involved in a viral bullying incident.
Commissioner for Information Kassim Afegbua disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Commissioner Afegbua said the government acted after seeing a video showing students bullying a fellow student.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the students involved have been expelled while the police have been directed to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
“There will be no justification for that kind of treatment. It is very unacceptable,” he added.
Afegbua said the state government moved quickly after the incident became known.
“We took action almost immediately that led to the expulsion of the students involved. But it is not just about expulsion; we also directed the police to make sure the students are properly arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
He also said he had contacted the Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika to confirm that steps were being taken.
“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,” Afegbua said.
The state Ministry of Education has set up a five-member committee to investigate the incident and identify all students involved.
A video shared on social media showed two students beating and kicking another student who was on the ground while another student recorded the incident.
In the clip, one of the attackers dragged the victim by his suit and stepped on his chest as the boy cried in pain while the person recording the video asked them to stop.
The reason for the assault was not clear.
Meanwhile, the family of one of the students involved has apologised for their son’s actions.
In a statement signed by Tim Asoro, the family apologised to the student who was attacked and his family.
“To the student who was affected, we want to say from the depths of our hearts that we are truly sorry. No child deserves to be treated in such a manner. Our hearts go out to him and to his family,” the statement said.
The family said the boy who was attacked is physically fine based on medical reports but noted that the incident may have caused emotional distress.
They also apologised to the school management, teachers, parents and students, adding that they had spoken with their son and that he expressed regret.
The Edo State Police Command had earlier said it had begun an investigation into the incident after directing the Divisional Police Officer in the area to handle the case.
