By Azamdjo Elijah, a teacher at Obada Grammar School in Ogun State, Nigeria, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command and suspended by the state government following the death of Monday Arijo, a Senior Secondary School 2 student. Arijo allegedly died after being subjected to 162 frog jumps and 24 strokes of the cane as punishment for his response to the teacher’s instruction regarding a newly purchased dustbin.
The incident, which occurred on October 15, 2024, came to light after an activist, Adetoun, shared the story on Instagram. According to Adetoun, Elijah had brought a dustbin to Arijo’s class, instructing students not to break it. Arijo reportedly joked that the dustbin was bought with the students’ money, angering the teacher.
Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed that Arijo was made to perform 162 frog jumps and received 24 strokes of the cane, contrary to initial reports of 162 cane strokes. Arijo was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta for medical attention but was pronounced dead on October 25. His body has been deposited at the Ayetoro mortuary for autopsy, and an investigation is ongoing.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to our correspondent that Elijah had been arrested and transferred to the police headquarters in Abeokuta for further investigation.
In response to the incident, the Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, announced the suspension of Elijah and queried the school’s principal, Mrs Tamrat Onaolapo, for allowing corporal punishment against established rules and regulations. Onaolapo was given 24 hours to explain her actions and why disciplinary measures should not be taken against her.
The state government also sent a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, commiserating with them on the sudden death of their son and promising to seek justice. The letter, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, described the late Arijo as an exceptional pupil who would be missed by his colleagues, the school, and the state at large.
The tragic incident has reignited the debate on the use of corporal punishment in Nigerian schools and the need for stricter regulations to protect students from excessive and potentially harmful disciplinary measures.
