A disturbing incident happened at Complete Child Development College in Aule, Akure, Ondo State, where suspected thugs reportedly attacked the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, for preventing a student from engaging in examination malpractice during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to a preliminary investigation by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, the assault aroused from a disciplinary action taken by Mr. Rotifa after he seized an android phone found with an SS3 student during the exam– a clear violation of exam regulations.
The official report, prepared by the Director of Schools, stated, “The incident started on May 26, when an android phone was found with one SS 3 student which is contrary to the rules and regulations of the school and Mr Rotifa, the Vice Principal of the school seized the phone from him.”
The situation escalated when the student’s mother stormed the school in anger.
“On Thursday, the mother of the student came to the school to fight with the school management so much that the proprietor of the school ordered that the phone be returned to her, which was done,” the report added.
Matters worsened later that day when the student’s elder brother — a former student of the school — arrived to confront and threaten the Vice Principal.
“The brother of the student, who happened to be an old student of the school, later came to the school to harass the Vice Principal and threatened to deal him.”
Following these threats, Mr. Rotifa was advised by the school proprietor to report the matter to the police.
“After school hours, the boys were seen loitering in the street and the proprietor was informed who told Mr Rotifa to go to the police station to lodge a complaint. He went and two policemen took him in their van to look for the boys probably for arrest.”
However, events took a violent turn on their return from the unsuccessful search.
“They couldn’t get them. On their way back to the station, the boys waylaid the Police van, stopped it, brought out Mr Rotifa and beat him up. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.”
The school principal confirmed that Mr. Rotifa has since been discharged but has avoided returning home due to safety concerns.
“According to the principal of the school, he has been discharged from the hospital but did not go back to his house for the fear of the boys coming back for him. Further investigations and efforts to get the culprit are in progress. Arrangements for the safety of the staff and students of the school for period of the remaining papers in WASSCE are ongoing.”
The state government has vowed to pursue the matter thoroughly as outrage grows over the attack on a school official enforcing examination integrity.
