The police have invited parents of a student of Igbinedion Education Centre, a private secondary school in Benin, Edo State, who was assaulted by some of his classmates as seen in a viral video to file a formal complaint.
According to the police, the step is to identify the victim and launch an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the management of the centre has expelled the two students who allegedly assaulted the victim.
The decision follows public outrage after a video surfaced online showing two male students attacking another student while a third student filmed the incident.
In the viral video that circulated on X, one of the students dragged the boy by his suit and stomped on his chest, leaving him crying in pain, while the student recording the assault pleaded on his behalf.
The school management, according to a statement issued on Friday, described the behaviour as disturbing and contrary to the values it upholds.
The institution reiterated its strict zero-tolerance policy against bullying, intimidation, harassment, cultism, and any form of violence.
“Following an immediate investigation, the students responsible have been expelled from the school with immediate effect. Such conduct will never be tolerated within our school community,” the statement said.
The school also confirmed that the incident had been reported to the relevant authorities and that it was cooperating fully, noting that the students involved are minors.
“We are providing support to those affected and are working closely with their families to ensure the matter is addressed with the seriousness it deserves,” the statement added.
A staff member, speaking to Saturday on condition of anonymity, said the parents of the students involved had sought a settlement with the family of the assaulted student but declined to disclose names due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Edo State, Eno Ikoedem, urged the victim and his parents to come forward and lodge a formal complaint so the investigation could commence.
“Bullying is a criminal offence. No one is allowed to beat up and dehumanise someone like that. That is somebody’s child irrespective of whatever crime he may have committed,” Ikoedem said.
Human rights activist Kola Edokpayi condemned the attack as “man’s inhumanity to man” and called on the school to impose strict sanctions to deter similar acts in the future.