Two students at Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) in Ekiti State on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, were expelled for bullying a classmate – a disturbing incident caught on video and sadly, not an isolated one.
This case follows another viral bullying video from Abuja’s Lead British International School, where a student relentlessly attacked another.
These two recent cases of bullying in Abuja and Ekiti state have brought back the sad memories of previous instances of bullying in the country, where some of the victims either lost their lives after going through excruciating pains or became depressed, hostile or mentally affected.
The disturbing trend of bullying in Nigerian schools has left many wondering if the country is doing enough to stem the tide of this menace.
In April 2024, footage of two students of Lead British International School in Abuja caused quite an uproar and outrage on social media. In the video, a female student, Maryam Hassan, was seen repeatedly hitting her female colleague, Namtira Bwala, while the latter stayed mute. Even when the slaps became intense, she never fought back.
The subsequent video showing Namtira’s angry parents and Maryam, as well as school authorities and government officials, working towards a resolution, was a welcome relief. However, the incident highlighted the dangers of bullying and the need for urgent action But before the Abuja case was concluded, another bullying incident surfaced in Ekiti. Unlike the Abuja case, which was between two secondary school students, the Ekiti bullying was between two students of one of the higher institutions in the state.
In the widely circulated video on X (formerly Twitter), the female bully was seen flogging her victim, who was said to be her acquaintance. The former was heard saying, “You called me bastard, you must be mad!” while she continued to whip the latter in the video. She was also heard saying she would not leave her until she bled.
Beyond cosmetic approaches
Many called for the bully to be brought to book, but experts say that suspending or even expelling the bully is not enough. Once news of bullying emerges, the bully is either suspended or the government shuts down the school and reopens it after a few days.
Experts say suspending a bully while closing down the school for some days is more of a cosmetic approach to the deeply underlying issue. They contended that it does not nip bullying in the bud as it rather encourages the bullies to continue to feast on the weaknesses and vulnerability of their victims since the law is not explicit on what punishment should be meter out to them.
In the absence of stringent punishment for bullying, the monster has continued to ravage its victims. In December 2020, the mother of an 11-year-old boy identified as Don Davis uploaded a video of the poor state of his health on social media. She said senior students in his school mishandled him at Deeper Life High School, Uyo.
One year later, In December 2021, a video of a 12-year-old boy from Dowen College in Lagos in excruciating pain stirred outrage on social media. The boy, identified as Sylvester Oromoni, was reported to have been bullied and beaten by his seniors in school. He would later die after a few days.
Demystifying Bullying
To demystify bullying, experts say it is an unwanted anti-social behaviour that can occur anywhere. However, boarding schools often see a higher prevalence, with victims suffering verbal and physical abuse.
To combat this menace, experts urge governments to enact strong anti-bullying laws. They recommend studying successful policies from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia for guidance.
Parents are also expected to play a crucial role. They are enjoined to actively listen when their children report bullying and investigate unexplained injuries or declining academic performance. The teachers also have their part to play as they are responsible for educating students about the dangers of bullying and fostering a culture of respect and empathy..
“Bullying can have devastating consequences. It’s time to stop treating it like a temporary nuisance and implement effective, long-term solutions to keep our schools – and all environments – safe for everyone” Fumilayo Oladimeji, a parenting coach, submitted.
