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.

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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.”

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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.

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“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.”