A Vice Principal at Complete Child Development College in Aule, Akure, Ondo State, was reportedly assaulted by suspected thugs allegedly hired by a student’s parent after he prevented the student from cheating during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to a preliminary report from the Ondo State Ministry of Education, the incident occurred after the Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, seized an Android phone from an SS3 student during the examination—a violation of school rules.
The report, compiled by the Director of Schools, detailed that the student’s mother visited the school on May 26 and engaged in a heated confrontation with the school authorities. The situation escalated to the point where the school proprietor instructed that the confiscated phone be returned to her.
Subsequently, the student’s older brother—an alumnus of the school—allegedly came to the premises to threaten Mr. Rotifa. Later that day, the group of boys was seen loitering near the school. Acting on a tip-off, the proprietor asked Mr. Rotifa to report the matter to the police.
Two officers accompanied Mr. Rotifa in a police van to locate the suspects, but they were unsuccessful. However, on their way back to the station, the group allegedly ambushed the police van, forcibly removed Mr. Rotifa, and assaulted him. He was later taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to the school principal, Mr. Rotifa has since been discharged but has not returned home due to safety concerns. Investigations into the attack are ongoing, and efforts are being made to ensure the safety of staff and students during the remainder of the WASSCE.
Attempts to get an official response from the school principal were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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