Lead British International School in Abuja has been ordered to shut down for three days by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, following viral videos of bullying involving its students.
The closure was confirmed by Kabiru Musa, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Education Secretariat, who stated that the directive came from the Minister of Women Affairs. The decision was made in response to the uproar caused by videos shared on social media, depicting incidents of bullying within the school premises.
The first video, shared by user @moooyeeeee, captured a female student being repeatedly slapped by another female classmate, sparking outrage online. Subsequently, a separate video emerged showing male students surrounding and physically assaulting another boy.
In response to public outcry, Namtira Bwala, the student assaulted in one of the videos, has demanded a thorough investigation and severe sanctions against the perpetrators. Bwala, through her legal representatives, issued an ultimatum to the school management, threatening legal action if swift action was not taken.
In a proactive move, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command announced the deployment of officers to the school premises to investigate the incidents and prevent any potential escalation.
Meanwhile, Maryam Hassan, one of the alleged perpetrators, has issued an apology to her classmate and expressed remorse for her actions. The school management, led by Abraham Ogunkanmbi, has initiated an investigation into the matter and offered counselling and disciplinary measures to the families involved.
The incident has sparked national concern over the prevalence of bullying in schools, prompting calls for stricter measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students across educational institutions.
