Edo police arrest suspects in viral school bullying case

The police command in Edo State says it has arrested all individuals linked to a widely circulated school bullying incident, adding that those implicated will be charged before the Family Court in line with juvenile justice laws.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said investigations into the incident had identified everyone directly involved, following public outrage over the viral video.

She noted that the case is being handled under existing legal frameworks guiding child protection and juvenile offences.

Investigation traces incident to an earlier dispute

According to the police, preliminary findings revealed that the incident stemmed from a disagreement on March 5 involving two 14-year-old female students and another colleague.

During the altercation, the colleague allegedly made a provocative remark about the late father of the girls, triggering a violent reaction.

The two students were said to have attacked the colleague after school hours, escalating the situation beyond a typical disagreement among peers.

The situation worsened when a parent, who had arrived at the school to pick up her child, attempted to intervene.

Police said the girls turned on the woman, physically confronting her and ripping her clothes in the process, further deepening the severity of the incident.

Following the altercation, school authorities reportedly stepped in and expelled the students involved.

Retaliation led to viral video

However, the matter did not end there. The police said the now-viral incident occurred a day after the initial confrontation and involved a retaliatory attack.

A male student, whose mother was the woman allegedly assaulted earlier, reportedly attacked another student in what authorities described as revenge.

The assault was recorded by one of the students and shared online, sparking widespread concern and calls for accountability.

In response, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered the усиление of the Operation Safe Schools Initiative across secondary schools in the state.

The command said the initiative would focus on identifying supervision gaps and preventing similar incidents, while strengthening security presence in school environments.

In addition, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) has been activated to engage students and school administrators through sensitisation programmes and advocacy.

Authorities urge vigilance, parental responsibility

The police urged students to avoid violence and report grievances through appropriate channels, emphasising the need for peaceful conflict resolution.

Parents, guardians, and school authorities were also called upon to play a more active role in supervising children and reinforcing discipline.

The command added that lessons from the incident would guide future interventions aimed at improving student safety and preventing bullying across schools in the state.

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