Araromi Ilogbo Secondary School in Oko Afo, Lagos, witnessed chaotic scenes as students staged a protest following the alleged death of one of their classmates who was reportedly flogged by a teacher.
The incident unfolded on Thursday when a 16-year-old student named David Babadipo was allegedly subjected to corporal punishment by a teacher identified as Oluwale. David, who had been unwell for several days, was rushed to a hospital after the flogging and was subsequently confirmed dead.
In a video circulating on social media, students can be seen in a state of panic, running both inside and outside the school premises. A voice in the background narrated that the deceased student had been planning to leave the school premises to purchase something when he was allegedly subjected to the teacher’s discipline, which led to his death.
The video sparked various reactions on social media, with one user expressing concern that the teacher might face repercussions for the incident.
However, there have been conflicting accounts of the incident. One Facebook user, Esther Wusu, disputed the claim that the pupil was flogged to death and clarified that Mr. Oluwale was the school’s vice principal. She asserted that the teacher did not administer any corporal punishment, and the student had been ill since Tuesday, with his parents failing to seek medical attention promptly.
Another Facebook user, Bangose Jide, reported that David Babadipo, a 16-year-old native of Ipoti Ekiti State, had allegedly died after being beaten by Mr. Olawale, the school’s vice principal. The case was said to have been reported to the Morogbo Police Station on the Badagry Expressway in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had not confirmed whether the case was reported at the police station at the time of reporting.
The incident has generated significant public interest and calls for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the student’s death.