…As Govt Warns Against Malpractices, Hooliganism In Schools
Sam Philip
Police have arrested five persons in connection with the attack on a school Vice Principal in Ondo State.
Mrs. Dorcas Asije and four other persons described as her accomplices were arrested in connection with the attack on the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre, Akure, Mr. Alexandra Rotifa.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Ondo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) explained that the suspects were arrested by a team of Police operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police(Operations).a
He disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID) and the suspects would be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation into the incident.
The police image-maker, therefore, charged the public to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious moves to the nearest police station or any security agencies close to them.
Ayanlade said: “The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Mrs. Dorcas Asije and four other accomplices.
“Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) led a tactical team to ensure their swift arrest. The case has been transferred to SCID and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The public is advised to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station.”
Meanwhile, the state government, through the Ministry of Education has sent stern warning to all schools and parents that it would not tolerate any act of Hooliganism and examination malpractices.
A statement by Olaoluwa Meshack, Director of Information & Media of the ministry reacted to the attacked on Mr. Rotifa by hired thugs for confiscating an android phone from a student during ongoing West African School Certificate Examination.
Having visited the school, the Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Akindele Ige declared that “Ondo State Government would not tolerate any form of hooliganism, thuggery or examination malpractices during internal or external examinations in the state.”
Dr. Ige, who led a team of directors from the Ministry to the affected private school, said the Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa was reportedly beaten up by thugs over confiscation of android phone during examination.
In a statement signed by Olaoluwa, “multiple reports had it that the Vice Principal caught a candidate with an android phone in the hall during the on-going West Africa School Certificate Examination WASCE, on Thursday and prevented him from using it.
“The action did not go down well with the candidate who informed his mother of the action of the Vice Principal and both of them immediately mobilized a group of young men and besieged the school premises, asking for the head of the Vice Principal.
“Sensing the danger, the school authority immediately invited the police who came in their van to rescue the Vice Principal, but the thugs were said to have blocked the police van, dragged the Vice Principal out and gave him the beaten of his life in the presence of the police
“The Administrative Secretary, Dr. Akindele Ige, condemned the action in it entirety, saying the state government would never condone examination malpractices or hooliganism under whatever guide.
“He warned that the use of handset or any other material that canpable of aiding malpractices is totally prohibited in schools across the state during examinations either internal or external.
“According to him, the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has some sets of rules on examination malpractices and would not hesitate to apply them on erring students, officials or schools either private or public.
“Dr Ige said the ministry has commenced enquiry into the matter and is working with relevant stakeholders to get to the root and apply sanctions where appropriate.
“He also cautioned school children across the state against thuggery, hooliganism and other vices capable of affecting their future negatively.”