Police authorities in Edo State have arrested students involved in a bullying incident at the Igbinedion Education Centre, with arrangements underway to prosecute them in a juvenile court.

The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, noting that the suspects would be charged before a family court in line with laws governing juvenile justice and child protection.

According to the statement, the arrests followed a detailed investigation which led to the identification and apprehension of all individuals directly connected to the incident.

“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,” the statement read.

Ikoedem further revealed that the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate deployment and strengthening of the Operation Safe Schools programme across secondary schools in the state. She explained that the move is aimed at addressing lapses in supervision and applying lessons from the incident to prevent a recurrence.

She added that the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices has also been activated to engage students and school authorities through advocacy, sensitisation, and reorientation initiatives.

While urging members of the public to remain calm, the police assured that efforts were being made to ensure justice is served and to forestall similar incidents in the future. The command also reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting residents, particularly children.

The development comes a week after videos of the incident went viral on social media, showing two male students assaulting a fellow student who was lying helpless on the ground. In one of the clips, a suspect was seen grabbing the victim by his clothing and repeatedly stomping on his chest as the victim cried out.

The incident sparked widespread outrage, prompting the school management to expel the students involved. The Edo State Government had earlier called for their arrest and prosecution, warning that acts of bullying would not be tolerated.