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Federal Government Shuts Down Lead British International School, Abuja Over Bullying Incident
The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the temporary closure of Lead British International School, Abuja for three days following a bullying incident involving two students.
The decision was announced by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, in response to public outcry over a viral video showing a female student, Namtira Bwala, being physically bullied and assaulted by her classmate, Maryam Hassan.
The video, which sparked widespread outrage, showed Maryam repeatedly slapping Namtira while asking “Who broke my heart?” A second video showed Namtira being interrogated and slapped by Maryam. The incident generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians, who called for justice for the victim.
According to reports, the incident occurred on school premises during school hours, and was allegedly witnessed by other students and teachers. The school management had earlier announced that it was investigating the incident, stating that it was “deeply concerned” about the matter.
However, the government’s decision to shut down the school temporarily was seen as a necessary step to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, condemned the incident, saying “No child deserves to be bullied or assaulted in any way. We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served and that the school takes necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
The temporary closure of the school is aimed at allowing for a thorough investigation into the incident, as well as to give the school management time to implement measures to prevent bullying and ensure the safety of students. The government has also promised to provide support and counseling to the victim and her family.
The incident has raised concerns about bullying in schools and the need for effective measures to prevent and address such incidents. Many have called for greater awareness and education about bullying, as well as stricter policies and punishments for those who engage in bullying behavior.