The Ogun State Government has indefinitely suspended the principals of Ilugun High School, Elega, Olukoga Adeyemi Alaba (Senior School) and Ladipo Olabisi Temitope (Junior School), following the controversy surrounding the death of a student linked to recent unrest in the school.
The decision was announced on Tuesday after a viral video showed angry students vandalising school property in protest. Reports suggested that the chaos erupted after allegations that one of the principals had been collecting illegal fees, which prompted security operatives of the Amotekun Corps to be invited to the school.
Witnesses claimed the operatives fired gunshots to disperse protesting students, leading to panic. In the commotion, one of the students reportedly drowned in a nearby river while attempting to flee. The death sparked further outrage and destruction of school facilities.
However, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), the State Commandant of the Amotekun Corps, denied the allegations, insisting that his men never fired any shots.
Speaking on the matter, Adedigba explained: “It was the principal of the Junior School who invited some operatives of the Amotekun Corps to the school last week, Thursday or Friday, because the students were said to be engaging in vices like smoking and immoral acts.
“On getting to the school, the operatives met with the principal, who then handed them over to another teacher to conduct them around.
“Some students were said to have taken to their heels when they saw the Amotekun Corps. Some women washing clothes, however, noticed that two students were inside the river, and the Amotekun operatives helped to bring them out.
“They took them back to the principal together with the teacher. The principal sent for the parents of these students, their photographs were taken, and the parents took them away.
“There was never a time the Amotekun Corps fired a shot during their visit to the school. The agency knows nothing about the death of the student, even though we sympathise with the bereaved family.”
Confirming the suspensions, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said preliminary findings had uncovered both irregularities in enrolment and illegal fee collection at the school.
He disclosed that the deceased could not be verified as a genuine student, as none of the three names he was identified with appeared in the state’s official education database.
Prof. Arigbabu stated: “We have all become aware of the unfortunate incident that took place at Ilugun High School (Junior), Elega. I stand before you this afternoon to confirm that, sadly, the incident did happen in the school. First, let me, on behalf of the State Government, express our deepest condolences to the parents and family of the deceased. We feel their pain, and our prayers are with them at this difficult time.
“However, our preliminary investigations have revealed a very disturbing twist. The young man who lost his life could not be confirmed as a bona fide student of the school. He was identified by three different names—Babalola Ayornide, Salako Jimoh, and Afolabi Babalola. Yet, none of these names appear in our official state education database, the OGSERA platform, which authenticates all school enrolments. This points to the likelihood of an illegal enrolment.
“In addition, we also discovered that the Principal of Ilugun High School (Junior) had been involved in the collection of illegal fees. In light of these findings, the government has decided to place both the Junior and Senior Principals of Ilugun High School on suspension while we conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of this unfortunate incident.
“Also, in order to keep abreast of happenings in schools, a scheme called Whistleblowers has been established by the government through the Teaching Service Commission to curb illegalities and wrongdoing. Let me assure the good people of Ogun State that the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, remains unshaken in its commitment to provide free education for every school-age child in this state, irrespective of where they live, their gender, economic status, religious belief, or political affiliation.
“I must also appeal to the students: while we share in your grief, please do not vent your anger by destroying school property. We all know that we are still battling with inadequate infrastructure in our schools. Destroying the little we have will only make the situation worse, not better.
“Finally, I want to reassure parents, students, and indeed the general public that anyone found culpable in this matter will not go unpunished. The full weight of the law will be applied. We ask everyone to remain calm as investigations continue. Government will be transparent, and justice will be done.”
The state government has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident while assuring parents and residents that those responsible will face justice.
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