Chaos erupted at Complete Child Development College, Aule, Akure, Ondo State, after the Vice Principal, Mr. Rotifa, was brutally attacked by suspected thugs allegedly hired by a student’s family. The assault followed his enforcement of examination rules during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The incident began on Sunday, May 26, 2025, when Mr. Rotifa caught an SS3 student with an android phone inside the examination hall—an act considered malpractice under WAEC guidelines. Following school policy, the device was confiscated immediately. What appeared to be a routine disciplinary measure quickly escalated into a dangerous confrontation.
On Thursday, May 29, the student’s mother stormed the school, causing a heated altercation that disrupted academic activities. Despite the Vice Principal acting in line with national examination laws, the school’s proprietor reportedly directed staff to return the phone to de-escalate tensions. That move, however, did little to avert the violence that followed.
Later that day, the student’s elder brother—an ex-student of the school—returned and reportedly threatened Mr. Rotifa. Concerned for his safety, the school directed him to report the matter at a nearby police station. Two officers accompanied him in a patrol van in an attempt to arrest the suspects.
As they returned, the vice principal’s worst fears materialized. The suspects ambushed the police vehicle, forcefully dragged him out, and launched a brutal physical assault. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. Though he has since been discharged, he remains in hiding due to credible threats to his life.
According to a preliminary report issued by the Ondo State Ministry of Education’s Director of Schools, security measures have been intensified around the school for the remaining duration of the WASSCE. Authorities are actively tracking the attackers while public outrage builds over the impunity and lack of respect for educators in Nigeria.
This shocking attack once again raises critical questions about the safety of school staff and the growing trend of parents enabling exam malpractice. As the education sector battles internal rot, cases like this risk becoming a dangerous norm unless justice is swiftly served and stricter protective measures are implemented across the country.
