Police vow to arrest culprits

By Tola Gbadamosi

What began as a routine examination at the Complete Child Development Centre in Akure, the Ondo State capital, took a disturbing turn, culminating in an alleged assault that left the Vice Principal, Mr. Alexander Rotifa, hospitalised and the school community in disarray.

According to the school’s principal, Mrs. Chioma Avbayeru, the trouble started when Mr. Rotifa, during a routine inspection amid the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations, confiscated a mobile phone from an SS3 student, Elisha Wisdom.

The use of mobile phones during exams is strictly prohibited in line with the school’s code of conduct and examination guidelines.

“Normally, we search all students before any exam,” Mrs. Avbayeru explained.

“That day, the Vice Principal found a phone on Elisha, brought it to me, and I kept it in my office as per procedure. Later, the boy hovered around my office, clearly attempting to retrieve the phone, but I reminded him of the rules—that he would only get the phone back after his NECO exams.”

The situation escalated later that Thursday after a heavy downpour had driven most staff and students indoors.

Around school closing hours, the student’s mother allegedly stormed into the premises, demanding the immediate return of her son’s phone, claiming it was her business line.

“I told her that no student is allowed to bring phones to school, but she became furious. After failing to retrieve it from me, she went to confront Mr. Rotifa,” the principal recounted.

The confrontation reportedly turned violent. Although the phone was eventually released on the directive of the school’s director in a bid to defuse the tension, the incident took a darker turn later that evening.

According to Mrs. Avbayeru, Mr. Rotifa was attacked around 8 p.m. near his residence, which is located close to the school.

“He came to our house, covered in blood. His eyes were swollen, his face was bleeding, and he was in a terrible state. He said he was dragged from a vehicle and beaten mercilessly.”

Although the police had earlier become involved and had visited both the mother’s shop and the student’s residence as part of their investigation, the suspects allegedly managed to evade arrest.

It remains unclear whether officers were present at the scene of the attack or why the violence was not prevented.

Mrs. Avbayeru further claimed that the assailants, believed to include the student, a former student of the school, and their mother, had previously issued threats to Mr. Rotifa.

“He’s been living in fear since the incident. He has even relocated due to those threats.”

The principal confirmed that Mr. Rotifa has been taken to the hospital and would hopefully be discharged soon, but remains unreachable and is deeply traumatised by the ordeal.

“This attack is not just on Mr. Rotifa; it’s an attack on the integrity of our education system,” said one teacher, who requested anonymity.

“If school staff can’t enforce basic examination rules without fear of violence, then the future of our students is at serious risk.”

At the time of filing this report, efforts to speak with the victim at the hospital were unsuccessful, as it was reported that he was barely conscious and unable to speak.

All attempts to reach the student’s mother were also unsuccessful, as her phone lines were unreachable.

Confirming the report, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the Police Public Relations Officer, said the DPO indicated that officers were mobilised to the venue. When the team assessed the situation and believed it could escalate further, they decided to leave the scene, as the child was expected to return to write the exam on Tuesday.

“We were on ground but later left, believing the issue had been resolved and that we would return later. It was only afterward that we learned the man was beaten and assaulted,” he said.

However, efforts are underway to ensure the arrest of the brother and the gang members who assaulted the Vice Principal as investigations continue.