The Edo State Government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of students of Igbinedion Education Centre involved in a viral bullying incident, describing the act as disturbing and unacceptable.
The state Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on the Sunrise Daily programme on Channels Television.
Afegbua said the government acted swiftly after a video surfaced online showing students allegedly bullying a fellow student.
According to him, the incident raised serious concerns among parents and Nigerians about discipline in schools and student conduct.
“It is quite disturbing. When we saw the video clips, we wondered what could have warranted such behaviour,” he said.
He stressed that there could be no justification for bullying among students, describing the act as completely unacceptable.
The commissioner revealed that the students involved had already been expelled by the school, while the government directed the police to ensure their arrest and prosecution.
“We took immediate action that led to the expulsion of the students involved.
But beyond expulsion, the police have been directed to ensure they are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Afegbua stated.
He added that he had contacted the state Commissioner of Police to confirm that the investigation process had commenced.
According to him, the police are expecting the parents to present the students for questioning before the case proceeds to court.
Reports indicate that the viral clip, widely shared on X, showed two male students beating and kicking another student who was lying on the ground.
One of the attackers was seen dragging the victim by his suit and stomping on his chest while the boy cried in pain.
A third student, who recorded the incident, was heard pleading with them to stop.
The video triggered widespread outrage on social media, prompting disciplinary action by school authorities.
The Edo State Police Command has since summoned the school management to hand over the students involved for investigation and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Ministry of Education has set up a five-member investigative committee to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify all students responsible.