The Edo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of all suspects involved in the bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre.
The incident, which sparked widespread outrage, came to public attention after viral videos showed some students being beaten, flogged, and kicked by their peers.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Eno Ikoedem, the police said investigations had been concluded and those implicated would be charged before a family court in line with laws on juvenile justice and child protection.
According to the statement, the incident began on March 5, 2026, following a dispute between two 14-year-old female students and a fellow student.
During the altercation, the victim allegedly made offensive remarks about the girls’ late father, which provoked them into attacking the student after school hours.
“In the course of the assault, a parent who came to pick up her son intervened. However, the girls, still enraged, also confronted the woman and dragged her clothes,” the statement said.
The school management subsequently expelled the girls for violent conduct.
The police further disclosed that the situation escalated the following day, March 6, when the son of the assaulted woman carried out a retaliatory attack on another student, identified as the brother of the girls, an incident captured in the viral video.
Police said all individuals directly connected to both incidents have now been identified and apprehended.
In response, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate intensification of the Operation Safe Schools Initiative across secondary schools in the state to address gaps in supervision and prevent similar occurrences.
Additionally, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices has been activated to engage students and school authorities through sensitisation and reorientation programmes.
The command urged parents, guardians, and school authorities to take greater responsibility for the supervision and moral upbringing of children, while advising students to resolve conflicts through appropriate channels.
While appealing for calm, the police assured the public that justice would be served and measures put in place to prevent a recurrence.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of all residents, particularly children.
