Lead British International School Abuja, embroiled in controversy following viral videos depicting bullying incidents among its students, has been forced to shut its doors for three days.
The shutdown directive came from the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, following mounting pressure from concerned citizens and parents.
Confirming the closure, Kabiru Musa, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Education Secretariat, stated, “Yes, it was shut down by the honourable Minister of Women Affairs for 3 days.”
The closure follows the circulation of distressing videos on social media platforms, capturing instances of physical assault on students within the school premises. In one video, a female student is seen being repeatedly slapped by another classmate, sparking outrage and demands for justice.
A subsequent video surfaced, depicting a separate incident involving male students. In this footage, a group of boys surrounds another, inflicting physical harm while onlookers plead for the violence to cease.
In response to these incidents, Namtira Bwala, the victim of one of the assaults, has taken legal action against the school.
Through her legal representatives at the Deji Adeyanju and Partners Law Firm, Bwala has demanded a thorough investigation and severe sanctions against the perpetrators.
A copy of the letter obtained reads; “Our client and several other parents in Lead British International School have informed us and we verily believe them that this act of bullying is a reoccurring issue in the school, and despite several attempts to draw the school’s attention to it, the issue has persisted, leaving our client traumatised from the emotional and physical effect of the oppressive acts by these daredevil bullies.
“Our client completely dissociates herself from the statement issued by the school on April 22, 2024, wherein a case of battery was unconscionably referred to as an ‘incident between minors’.
“Sequel to the foregoing, we have our client’s instruction to demand an immediate investigation and the pronouncement of the stiffest possible sanctions in the student’s rule book on Ms. Maryam Hassan, Miss Faliya and nine other students who have formed a cult of bullies in Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
“Please note that if the school fails to sanction the student bullies within 48 hours of the receipt of this letter, we have our client’s further instruction to seek an immediate and severe legal redress against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, without further recourse to you.”