By Goldmark Pentho Dansu At Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, strict rules prohibit students from bringing mobile phones to school ...
By Goldmark Pentho Dansu
At Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, strict rules prohibit students from bringing mobile phones to school during national examinations like WAEC and NECO—a policy designed to curb malpractice and ensure discipline. However, on May 28, 2025, a routine enforcement of this rule escalated into violence.
Vice Principal Rotifa had seized a phone from an SS3 pupil, Elisha Wisdom, after he was found in possession of the device during the exam. In line with school procedure, the phone was handed over to the school principal, Mrs. Chioma Avbayeru, for safekeeping.
According to Mrs. Avbayeru, “The vice principal found a phone on Elisha and brought it to my office. The student lingered around my office later that day, trying to retrieve it, but I reminded him that the rule was clear—no phones during exams. The phone would be returned only after the examination period.”
Later that day, Elisha’s mother and older brother, a former student of the school, stormed the premises. They insisted the phone was used strictly for business purposes and demanded its immediate return.
“I explained the rule to her again,” Mrs. Avbayeru recounted. “But she became agitated when I refused to release the phone. She left and went straight to confront Mr. Rotifa.”
That confrontation took a violent turn.
According to eyewitnesses, shortly after the confrontation, a group including the student, his brother, and other unidentified individuals allegedly attacked Mr. Rotifa. The vice principal was reportedly dragged from a vehicle and beaten mercilessly, sustaining severe injuries.
“He showed up at my house covered in blood,” said Mrs. Avbayeru. “His eyes were swollen shut, his face was bleeding—he was in a horrific state.”
Mr. Rotifa was rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the assault. He acknowledged that officers had earlier visited the school but left, believing the situation had been resolved. The attack occurred after their departure.
Following public outcry, the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, ordered the immediate arrest of all those involved. Five individuals, including Elisha’s mother, were taken into custody for questioning.
In a twist, Elisha’s father, Mr. Elisha Collins Imoukhuede, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, denying his family’s involvement in the assault. He accused the school authorities and some law enforcement officers of abuse of power.
In the petition, Mr. Imoukhuede described the school’s actions as “harassment, unlawful seizure, forced abduction, and defamation,” allegedly carried out with support from personnel at Okuta Elerinla Police Station.
He claimed his son only brought his mother’s business phone to school, which was wrongfully confiscated. He called for a full investigation into the conduct of the vice principal and other staff, as well as disciplinary action against police officers who he alleges aided the school.
While the police continue their investigations, many education stakeholders and members of the public have decried the attack, emphasizing the need to protect educators from violence when enforcing school rules.
“This is not just about a phone,” said a teacher who requested anonymity. “It’s about the dangerous precedent we’re setting when students and parents respond to discipline with violence.”
As Mr. Rotifa recovers, calls for justice grow louder—calling attention to the need to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s education system without fear of intimidation or harm.
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