Ogun Gov’t Suspends Teacher, Vows Justice For Family Of Student Punished To Death

The Ogun State government, at the weekend, vowed that it would not rest until justice is served for the family of an SS2 student, Master Monday Ariyo, allegedly punished to death last Friday by a teacher in one of the government-owned secondary schools in the Imeko Afon local government area of the State.

This was disclosed in a letter of condolence sent to the family of the late student, wherein the state government commiserated with the bereaved family over the unfortunate death of their loving son.

The letter, signed by the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the state’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, disclosed that the state government has queried the Principal of Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-Emi, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, where the sad incident occurred, while the erring teacher has been suspended, pending the final outcome of investigation into the remote and immediate causes of Ariyo’s death.

The erring teacher had allegedly flogged the late Ariyo with 24 strokes of cane, after which he was also made to perform 162 ‘frog jumps’ on the instruction of the school principal as punishment for allegedly uttering disrespectful statement against the principal during a routine visit to his classroom.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident, said the late Ariyo collapsed in the process and was rushed to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, the state capital, where he was pronounced dead.

“The incident happened on October 15, 2024. The deceased was asked to do 162 frog jumps and was given 24 strokes of the cane. He was rushed to FMC Idi-Aba for medical attention and he died today (October 25). The deceased body has been deposited at the Ayetoro mortuary for autopsy. An investigation is ongoing,” the Police Spokesperson stated.

Meanwhile, the state government in the condolence letter signed by Mrs. Oloko, described the late Ariyo as “an exceptional pupil who would be missed by his colleagues, the school, and the state at large.”