In Akure, Ondo State, suspected thugs allegedly hired by a parent assaulted the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College, Aule, for stopping her son from engaging in malpractice during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Vice Principal, identified as Mr. Rotifa, reportedly confiscated an Android phone from the student during the exam, as possession of such devices violates the school’s examination rules.
A preliminary investigation conducted by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, through its Director of Schools, confirmed that the incident began on May 26 when the prohibited device was found with an SS3 student. Mr. Rotifa seized the phone in accordance with school policy.
According to the report, the student’s mother visited the school the following Thursday and created a scene, demanding the return of the phone. The situation escalated to the point where the school’s proprietor intervened and instructed staff to return the phone to her.
Subsequently, the student’s older brother—an alumnus of the school—came to confront Mr. Rotifa and issued threats against him.
Later that day, after school had closed, the group of boys was seen loitering in the area. The school proprietor advised Mr. Rotifa to report the threats to the police. Acting on the advice, he filed a complaint, and two officers accompanied him in a patrol vehicle to locate the suspects.
However, while returning from the unsuccessful search, the boys ambushed the police van, forcibly removed Mr. Rotifa, and physically assaulted him. He was later hospitalized for treatment.
According to the school’s principal, Mr. Rotifa has since been discharged but has avoided returning home due to fears for his safety. Authorities are continuing their investigation to apprehend those responsible.
In the meantime, the school is working closely with security personnel to ensure the protection of students and staff for the remainder of the examination period.
Efforts to reach the school’s principal for further comment were unsuccessful.
