The Edo State Police Command has asked the parents of a student of Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City, who was allegedly attacked by fellow students in a viral video, to come forward and file an official complaint.
The police said the move would help authorities properly identify the victim and begin a full investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the management of the private secondary school has expelled two students accused of carrying out the assault.
The decision followed widespread outrage after a video circulated online showing two male students attacking a classmate while another student recorded the incident.
In the clip, which went viral on X, one of the attackers was seen dragging the victim by his school uniform and stamping on his chest as the boy cried in pain, while the student filming the scene pleaded with the assailants to stop.
Reacting in a statement released on Friday, the school management condemned the act, describing the conduct as unacceptable and contrary to the institution’s core values.
The school reiterated that it operates a strict zero-tolerance policy against bullying, intimidation, harassment, cultism and other forms of violence.
According to the statement, the school conducted an immediate internal investigation after the incident came to light and subsequently expelled the students found responsible.
“The students involved in the assault have been expelled with immediate effect. Such conduct will never be tolerated within our school community,” the statement said.
The management added that the case had been reported to the appropriate authorities and noted that it was cooperating fully, stressing that the students involved are minors.
It also stated that support was being provided to those affected while the school works closely with their families to ensure the matter is properly addressed.
A staff member of the school, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the parents of the students accused of the attack had reportedly approached the victim’s family in an attempt to settle the matter.
However, the staff member declined to reveal further details due to the sensitive nature of the case.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Edo State, Eno Ikoedem, urged the victim and his parents to formally report the case to enable the police commence investigation.
“Bullying is a criminal offence. Nobody has the right to beat or dehumanise another person like that.
That child is somebody’s son, regardless of whatever may have happened,” Ikoedem said.
Reacting to the incident, human rights activist Kola Edokpayi condemned the assault, describing it as a disturbing act of cruelty, and called on the school authorities to enforce strict sanctions to deter similar incidents in the future.