- The Ministry of Education announces indefinite suspension for students found guilty of physical assault causing bodily injury in Unity Colleges
- 13 students from Federal Government College, Enugu, were suspended for six weeks on November 7, 2024, following a bullying incident, pending investigation
- The ministry introduces tougher penalties to combat rising student-on-student violence, urging strict compliance from college administrators
The Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning that any student found guilty of physical assault resulting in bodily injury will be suspended indefinitely from Unity Colleges
A memo signed by the Permanent Secretary, Nasir Gwarzo, which was obtained by Punch in Abuja, highlighted the ministry’s concern over the alarming rise in violent behaviour among students.
The ministry has now vowed to take a tough stance on the issue, stressing that such conduct will no longer be tolerated.
On November 7, 2024, the Federal Government took immediate action by suspending 13 students from the Federal Government College, Enugu, for six weeks. These students, in Senior Secondary School 1, are accused of bullying a fellow student. This suspension came after a disturbing video surfaced on social media showing the group of students assaulting their peers.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, explained that the suspension was a necessary measure to allow for a thorough investigation into the incident. “The attention of the ministry has been drawn to the cruel and inhuman acts of physical assault that inflict bodily injury on other students by fellow students or groups of students,” the memo read.
In response to the growing violence, the ministry has decided to implement harsher penalties, stating, “In addition to the punishments in the ministry’s approved uniform guidelines for offences and punishments, the ministry has directed that henceforth, any student or group of students found culpable of physical assault leading to bodily injury on another student or group of students will be suspended indefinitely from the college.”
The ministry’s directive further instructed, “Ensure that you comply strictly with the content of this circular and inform the SBMC members and parents accordingly.” College administrators were told to strictly enforce the new policy and ensure that both the Student-Based Management Committee members and parents are informed.
The move came as reports of spate of bullying in schools, both public and private, continue to increase across the nation.
4 Nigerian students in the UK receive prison sentences after violent disorder
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously reported that four Nigerian students based in Leicester were recently sentenced to varying years of imprisonment after being convicted of violent disorder that happened in the early morning of November 4, 2021.
The victim was an 18-year-old man who was left with stab wounds and required medical attention after being attacked during the altercation.
The accused are Destiny Ojo (21), Habib Lawal (21), Ridwanulahi Raheem (21), and Joshua Davies-Ero (21).
