Metro

Ogun Suspends School Principal Over Student’s Death

Published

1 month ago

September 30, 2025

The Ogun State Government on Tuesday suspended indefinitely the principals of Ilugun High School, Elega—Junior and Senior sections—Mrs. Olukoga Adeyemi Alaba and Mrs Ladipo Olabisi Temitope, over the circumstances surrounding the death of a student of the school.

A viral video had shown some students of the school vandalising properties following the incident.

It was gathered that the students had allegedly protested the collection of illegal fees by one of the principals, after which operatives of the Amotekun Corps were invited to maintain law and order.

The operatives were alleged to have shot into the air to disperse the students. Unfortunately, one of the students, while scampering for safety, reportedly drowned in a nearby river. The incident prompted the students to return and vandalise the school.

However, the State Commandant of the Amotekun Corps, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), denied that the operatives fired any shots during their visit, insisting that the student’s death was unrelated to the corps’ presence in the school.

Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, Adedigba said: “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.”

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, who confirmed the incident, announced the suspension of the two principals.

Arigbabu said preliminary investigations revealed that the principal of the Junior School was involved in the collection of illegal fees, which triggered the students’ protest.

He further disclosed that the identity of the deceased could not be confirmed, as his name did not appear in the state’s education database.

“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.”

Metro

Two Brothers Miraculously Escape From Kidnappers’ Den In Edo

Published

20 hours ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

Two brothers, identified as Isaac and Victor Olayere, who were kidnapped on November 8 along Adughe and Imoga Road have miraculously escaped from kidnappers’ den.

The two brothers were taken into the bush as soon as they were kidnapped, throwing Uma/Imoga community into confusion, as the kidnappers demanded N22 million ransom.

While the community was still at a loss over how to raise the ransom, the victims called their father with an unknown number, telling him they had escaped from the kidnappers den.

The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye revealed this during a telephone interview.

He called on the authorities to come to the rescue of Imoga, a town he said, shares border with Ondo and Kogi, thereby making it prone to kidnapping activities.

He said, “The two brothers were kidnapped on November 8 along Adughe and Imoga Road and were taken into the bush.

“Later, the kidnappers reached out to the family and demanded a ransom of N22 million, throwing the ancient community of Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Edo State.

“I swiftly reported the incident to the Ibillo Police Station with the hope that the rescue effort will lead to the release of the brothers.

“It was said that somehow, the kidnappers suddenly went into a deep slumber in the forest, enabling their victims to escape. They were found by the vigilante of Adughe, a neighbouring community in Kogi that speaks the same Okpameri language with Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo.

“The vigilantes called Imoga people and the youth mobilised and entered the forest, but they could not see the kidnappers who had woken up after their captives had escaped and fled.

He noted that the activities of kidnappers and armed herders have become a major problem in the community, urging the authorities to create a police post in the area.

He added, “We need police presence in Imoga. If a police post is created here, the officers will patrol the community which will give the resident rest of mind.

“Imoga is the largest village in Akoko Edo, particularly in terms of land mass, into which many herders have entered en masse. It is the link between Edo State and the northern part of the country.”

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 39 Suspects With 2,477.59kg In Edo

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have arrested thirty-nine (39) suspected drug traffickers with 2,477.59 Kg of narcotic drugs.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA made this known in a statement titled: operational scorecard for October 2025, which he made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

According to the statement, the suspects consist of twenty-seven (27) males and twelve (12) females.

The statement added that, within the period under review, three cannabis sativa farms measuring 6.711192 hectares with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg were also destroyed.

A breakdown of the total 2,477.59 kg of seized drugs indicates that Cannabis Sativa 2,476.87 kg; Tramadol 0.3575 kg; Nitrazepam 0.068 kg; Bromazepam 0.8141 kg; Diazepam 0.084 kg; Swinol 0.0036 kg; Danabol (Molly) 0.013 kg; Methamphetamine (abandoned) 0.0465 kg and Codeine Syrup 0.1 litre.

According to the statement, three cannabis farms located in the Ugbodo Forest of Ovia North East Local Government Area, covering an area of 6.71 hectares, with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg of illegal crops, were eliminated.

The command’s prosecution unit also made significant strides in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.

“October saw the conviction of eleven individuals involved in drug-related offences and eleven new cases charged in the courts. Currently, there are 121 pending cases at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

“Our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to enforce the law, educate members of the public, and rehabilitate affected individuals who have problems using drugs.

“The fight against drug trafficking is relentless, and those who continue to engage in this illegal trade will face not only heightened enforcement but also stiffer penalties,” the statement reads.

Metro

Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old boy who was stolen in the state and arrested six members of a child-stealing and trafficking syndicate operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.

A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that on September 4, following a petition from the victim, operatives attached to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, began an investigation into the case.

Ikenga explained that the petition detailed how the complainant’s daughter had left her three-year-old son in the care of one Samuel Ibe of Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, while she briefly went to her shop.

“On her return, both the child and the said Samuel were missing. Swift investigative actions by the operatives led to the arrest of the said Samuel Ibe. His confessional statement subsequently led to the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh, 35, and his younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera, 15,” he said.

He further disclosed that operatives extended their investigation to Enugu State, where one Angela Eze, 30, was apprehended for collaborating with Juliet Onah to facilitate the transfer of the stolen child to Lagos.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives proceeded to Lagos State, where a suspect, China Cosmas, was arrested and the stolen child was successfully rescued. The child has since been reunited with his family in good health,” Ikenga added.

He confirmed that the suspects involved in the crime are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

Ikenga reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that criminal elements should not consider Anambra State a safe haven for any form of criminal enterprise.