In 2019, then-lawmaker representing Orhionmwon South constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Roland Asoro, assaulted an official of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA).
Asoro is also a former deputy speaker of the Edo House of Assembly.
SaharaReporters learnt that Asoro is the father of one of the students involved in a viral bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City.
The video shows two male students physically assaulting a fellow student who was lying helpless on the ground.
The footage sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the act, which compelled the school management to expel the students involved.
“The father of one of the boys, Choice Asoro, assaulted an EDSTMA operative years ago and inflicted injuries on him. His offence was arresting Asoro’s wife for breaking traffic rules,” a source privy to the incident told SaharaReporters.
A video in 2019 had showed Asoro’s wife being apprehended by traffic officers, but she refused to step out of the car and caused heavy vehicular traffic.
She apparently made a call to her husband and gave the phone to the traffic officers at the scene, but they refused to answer the call, according to a publication by The Nation newspaper.
After an argument, she zoomed off with the traffic officer, Osaretin Osazuwa.
Asoro, miffed that a traffic officer had the audacity to arrest his wife for flouting traffic laws, marched to the office of the agency and slapped him twice.
The former lawmaker reportedly kicked the officer in the groin and allegedly tore his uniform, while his wife was accused of biting Osazuwa.
The slapping incident was said to have happened in the presence of the then Managing Director of the agency, Mr Dennis Oloriegbe, who rather than react on behalf of his officer, only watched and did nothing.
Satisfied that he had registered his displeasure and anger, Asoro located his wife’s impounded car and drove it away from the agency’s premises without paying a fine.
Meanwhile, the Asoro family has since formally apologised to the victim and his family.
The apology follows the circulation of the blood chilling video on social media and the expulsion of all the students involved by the Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Tim Asoro on behalf of the Asoro family, the parents expressed shock and deep embarrassment over the incident.
“Watching the video has been one of the most distressing and heartbreaking experiences of our lives as parents. We have watched it with shock, sadness, and deep embarrassment,” the statement read.
“As a family, we are ashamed that our child was involved in conduct that caused pain and distress to another student,” it added.
The family apologised directly to the victim and his relatives, noting that no child deserves to be treated in such a manner.
“To the student who was affected, we want to say from the depths of our hearts that we are truly sorry. No child deserves to be treated that way. As parents, we cannot begin to imagine how frightening and hurtful the moment must have been for him. Our hearts go out to him and his family,” the statement said.
While the family expressed relief that medical reports confirmed the victim was physically unharmed, they acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and the emotional distress it may have caused.
Describing the episode as a painful moment of reflection, they said they had held serious discussions with their son, who expressed deep remorse for his actions.
“He understands that what happened has consequences not only for himself but also for another child, the school, and our entire family. We do not excuse what happened. It was wrong, and we are determined that our son must learn from this moment,” the statement read.
The parents added that steps were being taken to ensure their son receives guidance and counselling to help him develop into a more responsible and compassionate person.
They also reiterated their respect for the disciplinary measures taken by the school and extended another apology to the victim, his family, and the wider school community.
“Our family hopes that healing will come to everyone affected by this painful incident and that our son will learn the lessons needed to become a better person,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Edo state government has directed the arrest and prosecution of students involved in the bullying incident, warning that such acts will not be tolerated.
This is not the first Nigerian secondary school bullying case to attract national attention. In 2024, a video surfaced showing the brutal bullying of a female student at Lead British International School in Gwarinpa, Abuja. The victim, Namtira Bwala, was repeatedly slapped by fellow students, sparking widespread outrage across the country.
Credits: SaharaReporters/Punch
