The Ogun State Government has ordered the immediate shutdown of Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-Emi, following the shocking death of a student, Monday Arijo, in SS2. The student’s untimely death was reportedly caused by brutal corporal punishment meted out by a teacher last week Friday.
The teacher at the center of the incident has since been arrested and suspended. In an unprecedented move, the school’s principal, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, has also been suspended for allegedly permitting the use of corporal punishment, in direct violation of state regulations.
This development was confirmed through a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lekan Adeniran, on Tuesday. Governor Abiodun condemned the tragic loss and ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter. The governor vowed that anyone found culpable would face the full wrath of the law.
A high-powered delegation from the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology visited the grieving family of the deceased to offer condolences and gather firsthand accounts of the incident. The officials handed the family a condolence letter alongside a cash gift of N500,000.
Members of the delegation included top-ranking officials such as the Director of Secondary and Higher Education, the Principals General of Egba and Yewa Divisions, representatives from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), ANCOPPS, and the State Chairman of ASSUS.
During the visit, the state officials reassured the family that justice would be pursued relentlessly. “We are committed to ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted. Accountability is non-negotiable,” they declared, pledging government support for the grieving family in these difficult times.
Governor Abiodun, in his directive, ordered a panel to be set up immediately to investigate the tragic incident. “This administration will not tolerate any form of violence in schools. Those responsible will be made to face the consequences,” the statement read.
In a bid to restore confidence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Idi-Emi assured the family that the circumstances surrounding the death would be fully unraveled, promising that justice would not be delayed.
The tragic death of Monday Arijo has ignited public outrage, with calls for more stringent enforcement of laws banning corporal punishment in schools. As the investigation unfolds, parents and stakeholders across the state are demanding accountability and tighter measures to ensure the safety of students across Ogun State schools.
