Tragedy struck at Soun High School in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as a teacher, Mr. Fatai Adegoke, was reportedly beaten to death by his students while attempting to stop them from gambling during school hours.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred when the teacher confronted a group of students who were allegedly gambling in a classroom. The confrontation, however, turned violent, as the students reportedly attacked him, inflicting severe injuries, including broken limbs.
Mr. Adegoke was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from the injuries sustained in the assault.
A group of concerned educators, in a statement, described the late teacher as “a dedicated and disciplined professional whose life was cut short in the line of duty.”
“With deep pain and righteous indignation, we mourn the tragic and avoidable death of Mr. Fatai Adegoke, a teacher who was attacked by his own students while trying to stop them from gambling during school hours. This horrifying act is not just an assault on one man, it is an attack on the entire teaching profession,” the statement read.
The group urged the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. They also called for the parents of the perpetrators to be held accountable for failing to instill discipline in their wards.
Describing the tragedy as a reflection of moral decay within schools and homes, the educators emphasized the urgent need for stricter disciplinary policies, moral education, and enhanced safety measures for teachers in public schools.
Efforts to reach the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, for official confirmation were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the students involved in the attack have gone into hiding, sparking outrage across the community and renewed calls for better protection of teachers in the discharge of their duties.
