The Federal Government has suspended 13 students from the Federal Government College (FGC) in Enugu State for six weeks, following an alleged bullying incident that has raised serious concerns about student safety.
The suspension comes after a viral video surfaced, showing students engaging in bullying behavior.
A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, confirmed the suspension, which was ordered by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
“The Federal Ministry of Education is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment in all federal schools,” said Minister Alausa.
The suspension follows a report received by the Ministry detailing a bullying incident at the Federal Government College in Enugu.
According to the report, the incident involved a gang assault on a Senior Secondary 1 (SS1) student (a day student) by a group of students on November 7, 2024.
The attack came to light after a disturbing video of the assault was shared widely on social media.
“The video circulated on social media, prompting immediate action by the Ministry of Education,” Alausa explained.
In response, the Ministry swiftly formed a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter.
Based on the committee’s findings, the 13 students involved in the bullying incident have been placed on a six-week suspension, pending the conclusion of the full investigation.
Minister Alausa also instructed the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) to work closely with local security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, including probing any possible affiliations with external groups that may have influenced the bullying behavior.
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“We are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. This includes collaborating with security agencies and reviewing safety protocols at the school,” he stated.
As part of the immediate measures to improve security at the school, the Ministry has deployed law enforcement agents to the campus and is reviewing existing safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
Additionally, counseling and rehabilitation support will be provided to the affected students, as well as those involved in the bullying, to promote their reintegration into a positive school environment.
The Ministry of Education emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and violence in schools and reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for students across the country.