A senior prefect of Community Secondary School, Okpitumo, in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has come under criticism following allegations that he physically assaulted a female student for refusing to kneel down when ordered to do so.
The incident reportedly occurred within the school premises and has sparked outrage, with calls for the school authorities and the Ebonyi State Government to investigate the matter.
According to reports, the victim’s father, identified as Igwe Royal, raised the alarm in a social media post, accusing the senior prefect of abusing his position and subjecting his daughter to degrading treatment.
The father reportedly expressed concern over the alleged actions of the student leader, questioning why a fellow student should have the authority to impose physical punishment on another student.
The incident has attracted the attention of human rights advocates, including lawyer and child rights activist Ikechukwu Obasi, who condemned the alleged treatment of the girl.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, Obasi described the incident as barbaric and dehumanising, insisting that no student should use the position of senior prefect to assault, intimidate or humiliate another student.
He called on the Ebonyi State Ministry of Education and the Secondary Education Board to investigate the allegations and ensure that anyone found responsible faces appropriate disciplinary action.
The lawyer also urged the school authorities to provide counselling and necessary support for the affected student.
He further argued that the alleged conduct violates children’s rights and the protections against physical and degrading treatment provided under child protection laws.
Meanwhile, the incident has renewed discussions about bullying, abuse of authority and the limits of prefects’ powers in Nigerian secondary schools.