By Gabriella Chinwendu Ayigbo
On Tuesday, 15th October 2024, it was reported that some teachers at a grammar school in Obada Community, Abeokuta, administered an inhumane punishment that cost the life of an SS2 student, Monday Areyo.
That Tuesday morning, the teachers brought a new dustbin into the classroom and instructed the students not to tamper with it. When Monday made a remark, questioning whether the dustbin wasn’t purchased with their funds, a teacher took offence and reported him to the principal, who gave full approval for disciplinary action against the students.
Eight teachers took it upon themselves to discipline one hundred and twenty students, comprising SS2 and SS3 pupils, by giving each of them one hundred and sixty-four strokes of the cane. During this, three students collapsed, with one suffering a broken bone. Despite this, the teachers continued their brutal act with indifference. When it was Monday’s turn, they kept flogging him until he became extremely weak and began to vomit. The teachers insisted that once he was done vomiting, he would still receive the remaining strokes.
An eyewitness, possibly Monday’s friend, saw what was happening and rushed to inform Monday’s parents, who hurried to the school. By the time they arrived, the teachers had absconded upon seeing Monday’s unresponsive state, and the school principal was nowhere to be found.
Unfortunately, there was no nearby health centre, so they had to travel some distance to find a hospital, where Monday was eventually admitted. Doctors confirmed that he had suffered internal bleeding and performed brain surgery along with other procedures, but all efforts proved unsuccessful. Monday was later transferred to F.M.C Abeokuta, where he passed away the night before. However, the hospital did not immediately inform his parents of his death. A good Samaritan, who had brought his pregnant wife to the hospital for delivery, noticed the argument and unusual movements and decided to record the situation.
It was alleged that some government officials offered money to the bereaved family, urging them to bury their son quietly to avoid drawing attention. The teachers involved in the incident fled, although one of them was reportedly apprehended by the police. The Commissioner for Education in Ogun State was alleged to have instructed teachers to stop flogging students, while the Commissioner of Police claimed to be unaware of the incident, displaying apparent indifference.
The family’s response to the situation has been extremely negative, as they feel pressured by the community and some government officials to bury their son quietly and avoid contacting the media or the police, in an effort to protect their image.
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