A disturbing incident occurred at Complete Child Development College, Aule, Akure, Ondo State, where suspected thugs allegedly assaulted the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, for preventing a student from engaging in exam malpractice during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to preliminary findings by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, the attack was reportedly triggered by a parent’s outrage after her child was caught with an android phone during the exam.
The ministry’s report, signed by the Director of Schools, revealed that the incident began on May 26, when Mr. Rotifa seized a mobile phone from an SS3 student who was found in possession of it during the exam.
The student’s mother reportedly stormed the school a few days later to confront the management.
The report reads:
“The incident started on May 26, when an android phone was found with one SS3 student, which is contrary to the rules and regulations of the school, and Mr. Rotifa, the Vice Principal, seized the phone.
“On Thursday, the student’s mother came to the school to fight with the management to the extent that the school proprietor ordered the phone returned to her.
“The student’s brother, who happened to be a former student of the school, later returned to harass and threaten the Vice Principal.
“After school hours, the boys were seen loitering in the area. The proprietor was informed and advised Mr. Rotifa to report the matter at the police station.
“He went to the police, and two officers took him in their van to look for the boys, likely to arrest them.
“They couldn’t find them. But on their way back to the station, the boys waylaid the police van, stopped it, pulled out Mr. Rotifa, and beat him up. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
“According to the school principal, Mr. Rotifa has been discharged but has not returned home out of fear that the boys may come after him again.
“Further investigations are ongoing to apprehend the culprits. Arrangements are also being made to ensure the safety of staff and students during the rest of the WASSCE.”
The Ondo State Ministry of Education confirmed that measures are being put in place to secure the school environment for the remaining examination period.
Efforts to get an official comment from the school principal were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
