The Ogun State Government has suspended the principals of both the junior and senior sections of Ilugun High School, Elega, Abeokuta, following the tragic death of a student during a protest.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abeokuta, explaining that the suspension would remain in effect pending the outcome of a full investigation.
According to preliminary findings, the junior school principal, Mrs. Alaba Olukoga, was allegedly involved in illegal fee collection, which sparked a demonstration by students. In the course of dispersing the protest, local security operatives were invited, and one student reportedly drowned after attempting to flee by jumping into a nearby river.
While noting that the senior school principal, Mrs. Temitope Ladipo, was not directly implicated in the incident, Professor Arigbabu said her suspension was necessary to ensure fairness and transparency in the probe.
The Commissioner described the student’s death as “painful and irreparable,” assuring that the government would hold all culpable parties accountable. He also extended condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the state government.
Arigbabu appealed to students to maintain calm and refrain from vandalism, stressing that destruction of school facilities would only compound the challenge of inadequate infrastructure.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing free and qualitative education across Ogun State and assured that the findings of the ongoing investigation would be made public in due course.