The Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College in Aule, Akure, Ondo State, Mr. Rotifa, was reportedly assaulted by suspected thugs believed to have been hired by the parent of a student.
The attack followed an incident during the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams where Mr. Rotifa prevented a student from cheating.
According to a preliminary report from the state government’s investigation, conducted by the Director of Schools at the Ondo State Ministry of Education, an Android phone was found in the possession of an SS 3 student during the exam, violating the school’s rules. The Vice Principal confiscated the phone to uphold exam integrity.
The report detailed the sequence of events: On May 26, the phone was discovered with the student, which led Mr. Rotifa to seize it as per the school’s regulations. The student’s mother later came to the school and confronted the management, demanding the phone’s return. The school proprietor eventually instructed that the phone be handed back to her.
Tensions escalated when the student’s brother, a former pupil of the school, arrived and began to intimidate Mr. Rotifa, threatening him. After school hours, a group of youths, believed to be connected to the student, were seen loitering around the school vicinity. The school proprietor advised Mr. Rotifa to report the matter to the police.
Mr. Rotifa complied and went to the police station, where two officers accompanied him in a van to locate the youths, presumably for arrest. However, they failed to find them. On their return, the group intercepted the police vehicle, forcibly removed Mr. Rotifa, and proceeded to assault him severely. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
The school principal confirmed that Mr. Rotifa has since been discharged from the hospital but has not returned home due to concerns over his safety, fearing further attacks. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the culprits.
In the meantime, the school is making arrangements to ensure the security of both staff and students for the remaining WAEC examination period, prioritizing a safe environment for the exams to continue.