A vice principal identified as Mr Rotifa was reportedly attacked by hired thugs for preventing a student from using a mobile phone to cheat during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Ondo State.
The incident occurred last week at Child Development College, a privately owned school located in Aule, Akure North Local Government Area.
Sources told Daily Trust that the thugs, allegedly hired by the student’s parents, ambushed Mr Rotifa after he confiscated the phone during an exam session.
The student’s mother was said to have previously threatened to attack any staff member who refused to allow her son to cheat, prompting outrage among concerned parents.
The school reportedly ignored the initial threat until the attackers waylaid and severely beat the vice principal, who also teaches at the school, leaving him hospitalised.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Ondo State Ministry of Education said an investigation has been launched.
A statement by Dairo Obajulaye, Director of Schools at the ministry, said the student was caught with an Android phone during the exam, in violation of school rules, and the device was seized.
“On Thursday, the student’s mother stormed the school, aggressively confronting management. The proprietor eventually instructed that the phone be returned to her,” the statement read.
It further revealed that the student’s brother, a former pupil of the school, later returned to harass and threaten Mr Rotifa.
“After school hours, suspicious boys were seen loitering, prompting the principal to direct Mr Rotifa to report to the police. He did so, accompanied by two officers,” the statement said.
While returning from the search for the culprits, the group was ambushed. The thugs dragged Mr Rotifa from the police van and beat him before he was rescued and taken to the hospital.
The school principal confirmed that Mr. Rotifa has been discharged but has not returned home due to fears for his safety.
Authorities said efforts to apprehend the culprits are ongoing, and arrangements are being made to ensure the safety of students and staff for the remainder of the WASSCE.
(DAILY TRUST)