Dismissed Igbinedion students face prosecution over bullying incident

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of students linked to a bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, with those involved now set to face prosecution.

Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the arrests followed a detailed investigation, adding that the suspects would be charged before the Family Court in line with laws on juvenile justice and child protection.

According to her, the incident began on March 5, 2026, when two 14-year-old female students, whose identities were withheld, had a dispute with a fellow student.

During the confrontation, the victim allegedly made offensive remarks about the girls’ late father, provoking anger.

Ikoedem said the girls subsequently attacked the student after school hours. In the course of the assault, a woman who came to pick up her son intervened but was also attacked, as the girls allegedly turned on her, physically confronting her and pulling her clothes.

The school authorities later expelled the students for violent conduct.

The situation escalated the following day when a male student, whose mother was assaulted, carried out a retaliatory attack captured in a now-viral video.

Police said the victim of that attack was the brother of the two girls involved in the earlier incident.

In response, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate reinforcement of the Operation Safe Schools Initiative across secondary schools in the state to address lapses in supervision and prevent similar occurrences.

The Command also said the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) has been mobilised to intensify engagement with students and school authorities through advocacy and reorientation programmes.

While urging parents, guardians and school managements to strengthen supervision and moral guidance, the police advised students to avoid violence and channel grievances through appropriate means.

The Command assured the public that necessary steps were being taken to ensure justice is served and to forestall a recurrence, reaffirming its commitment to protecting residents, particularly children.