Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria — The Edo State Police Command, a regional division of the Nigeria Police Force responsible for law enforcement in Edo State in southern Nigeria, has confirmed the arrest of all students linked to a widely circulated bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre, a private secondary school located in Benin City.
The incident gained national attention after videos shared on social media showed students being beaten, flogged, and kicked by their peers within the school premises. The disturbing footage triggered widespread concern among parents, educators, and the general public.
In an official statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, the command said investigations had been concluded and all individuals directly involved had been identified and apprehended. The suspects, who are minors, will be charged before a family court in line with Nigeria’s juvenile justice and child protection laws. Okay News reports that the move is aimed at ensuring accountability while protecting the rights of the children involved.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to update the general public on the viral bullying incident which has generated widespread concern and public reactions across the state.
“Following a thorough and painstaking investigation, the Command confirms that all individuals directly connected to the incident have been identified, while those implicated have been apprehended and are being charged to the family court in accordance with extant laws guiding juvenile justice and child protection.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident originated on Thursday 5/03/2026 when two female students, names withheld, both aged 14, had a disagreement with a fellow student. During the altercation, the said student reportedly uttered offensive words directed at their late father, specifically saying, ‘Ogun kill your papa.’
“Angered by the remark, the girls allegedly attacked the student after school hours. In the course of the assault, a parent, who had come to pick up her son, intervened but the two girls, still enraged, turned on the woman, physically confronting her and dragging her clothes. The school management subsequently intervened and expelled the girls for engaging in violent conduct.
“On the following day (06/03/2026), a retaliatory incident occurred. The male student, whose mother was earlier assaulted, attacked the victim in the viral video in what has been identified as a revenge assault, which was recorded and posted by one of the students. The victim being the brother of the girls that assaulted his mother.”
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State has since ordered the expansion of the Operation Safe Schools Initiative, a national programme designed to improve safety in educational institutions across Nigeria. Authorities say the initiative will focus on identifying supervision gaps and preventing similar incidents.
In addition, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, a public awareness programme targeting youth behaviour, has been deployed to schools to educate students and administrators on conflict resolution and non-violence.
The police urged parents, guardians, and school authorities to take greater responsibility for monitoring children and promoting discipline, while advising students to avoid violence and use proper channels to resolve disputes.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Ministry of Education, the government body responsible for regulating schools in the state, condemned the incident. The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Edith Ebomoyi, described the behaviour as unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of safety, respect, and discipline expected in schools.
The school management also confirmed that students directly involved in the violence had been expelled and assured the public that stricter measures would be introduced to prevent a recurrence.
Authorities say further legal proceedings will now take place in the family court, where decisions will be made in line with child protection laws.
