Last week, videos released on social media showed the other side of what is happening behind the walls of Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, Edo State, an institution that has built a reputation for excellence. Experts have canvassed immediate action by educators and parents, such as open communication, intervention, and enforcing anti-bullying policies to stop the practice, Osagie Otabor reports.

In the eye of the storm

THE Igbinedion Education Centre, owned by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, is one of the elitist schools in Benin City, the Edo State capital. It is an institution attended by the children of the rich in the city. Located along the MM Way, the school has facilities for both boarding and day students. At several fora, students of the school have displayed excellence and brilliance either in cultural display, celebration of Martin Luther King Day, Children’s Day celebration and in other competitions.

But last week, some disturbing videos of bullying at the education centre flooded the social media. Besides the videos, some old students have started speaking out about some dark sides of the institution.

In the first video that went viral, two students were seen brutally assaulting a supposed junior student. The two students kicked, delivered blows and stamped their victim on the head and in the rib. Another video showed where a female student was being attacked by a male student. A third video showed one of the attackers in the first video giving a knock on the head of a junior student.

A more disturbing video that led to suspicion of something more than bullying emerged when four supposedly senior students walked into an empty classrooms and began attacking four junior pupils.

Outcry from members of the public made the school to issue a statement on Friday night that pupils in the video have been identified and expelled.

However, school bullying is a repeated, aggressive behaviour involving a power imbalance, including physical, verbal, and social. It causes significant harm, leading to fear, low self-esteem, and academic decline.

The school’s defence

The statement by the school described the video as deeply disturbing and stood in direct violation of the values and standards the institution uphold. It said the school maintained a strict zero-tolerance policy toward bullying, cultism, intimidation, harassment and any form of violence.

According to the statement, “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.

“Our priority remains the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every student. 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 incident has been reported to the appropriate authorities and knowing that the students are minors; the school is cooperating fully.”

However, narrative by the school was that the incident began on March 6th, when a female student poured invectives on a parent. The child of that parent was said to have lured a brother of the female student to a secluded corner to beat him up over the sister’s action.

Acting Principal of the school, Celestine Ipetu, said the student that was bullied in the video has been treated. He was, however, silent on five other students that were seen being beaten and bullied in the various leaked videos.

 Elderly Igbinedion visits school

On Saturday, Chief Igbinedion, who is rarely seen at the school premises, made a surprise visit to the school. He was accompanied by a retinue of aides.

The 91-year-old Esama of Benin Kingdom was said to have assured parents and pupils that the school would not condone bullying.

His daughter, Omosede Igbinedion, said the Esama personally visited the school to address recent issue of bullying.

She said, “His presence was a powerful reminder that the values on which the school was built like discipline, respect, and responsibility must always be upheld.

“Daddy felt it was important to come himself and speak directly to the students and staff, making it clear that bullying has no place in our school community.”

Ex- female student speaks on experience

A former female student of the institution said contents in the bullying videos were not bad when compared with what they went through in the school

She called on former students to speak out even if some of them participated in bullying. The former student, who spoke in a viral video, said she attempted suicide to enable her leave the school.

“Those responsible are those in charge. I recalled boys slapping girls and using belt to flog them in open space.

“Armed robbers broke into the school and shot at a student that ran out to call the teachers. The school did not notify our parents. They locked us in the dorm so that we couldn’t call our parents. Students attempted suicide to get out of that school before deciding to join the ranks as a way to survive. I jumped out of a window to get out of that school. I have a friend and a classmate who attempted suicide three times to escape life in Igbinedion.

“Many children picked up drug and violent behaviour, which they have not recovered from. Many students took to drug.”

Families apologise over bullying

Families of two of the boys seen in the video have apologised for the behaviour of their wards. They said the video caused them distress and heartbreak as parents.

“As a family, we are deeply ashamed that our child was involved in conduct that has caused pain and distress to another young student.

“To the student who was affected, we want to say from the depths of our hearts that we are truly sorry. No child deserves to be treated in such a manner, and as parents, we cannot begin to imagine how frightening and hurtful that moment must have been for him. Our hearts go out to him and to his family. We offer our most sincere apology to them.

“We are relieved to understand, from the available medical reports, that the young boy is physically fine. While this brings some comfort to us as parents, it does not in any way diminish the seriousness of what occurred or the emotional distress that the incident may have caused.”

Edo Commissioner: incident was disturbing

Despite expulsion of the pupils, the Edo State Government said the incident was disturbing and unacceptable. Edo Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, said the police have been directed to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

“It is quite disturbing. When we heard the news and saw the clips of the video, we were wondering what could have warranted such behaviour.

“We took action almost immediately that led to the expulsion of the students involved. But it is not just about expulsion; we also directed the police to make sure the students are properly arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Afegbua said.

Apart from the police investigation, the public is waiting for the outcome of the five-man investigative committee set up by the Ministry of Education to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify all students found culpable.

Stakeholders weigh in

Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED) National President, Mr. Emmanuel Orji, in an interview with The Nation, said he was disturbed by the content of the videos.

“That image stopped me in my tracks—I could barely look twice, and my imagination ran wild. The bullying case at Igbinedion Education Centre is more than a wake-up call; it demands urgent legislative action. If government and stakeholders don’t restratagise, our schools risk raising bullies instead of learners.

“To curb this, we need clear anti-bullying laws and enforceable zero-tolerance policies, alongside education campaigns and safe reporting channels for signs and incidents. Staff require training to notice blind spots and early warnings, parents must be accountable for reinforcing positive behaviour at home, and counselling plus community watch efforts can strengthen prevention. Without these steps, we gamble with the safety and purpose of our schools,” Orji said.

A community leader, Mr. Lucky Efese, who also spoke with The Nation, said: “It is unfortunate that such is happening in a high profiled school. Chief Igbinedion established that school to ameliorate the suffering of the people. What is happening is uncalled and need to be nipped in the bud. If not curb, it will tarnish the image of our respected chief.”

A teacher in one private school, Mr. Johnson Ibude, was pessimistic on the investigation by the relevant authorities.

Mr. Ibude said an independent panel was necessary to unravel the real truth.

According to him, “This incident is shocking. There are several cases that the truth never came out. The father of the boys and the owner of the school may have somewhere they meet. They are all rich men.”