The Oyo State government and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, have dismissed widespread social media reports alleging that a teacher at Soun High School, Ogbomoso, was beaten to death by students.
This was revealed in a statement issued by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to the Oyo State Governor, on Tuesday.
Government officials described the claim as fake and a distortion of facts.
Speaking separately after a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola; the Oyo State NUT Chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji; and the principal of the school, Mr Ajayi Adeyinka, gave a detailed account of what happened.
According to them, the teacher, Mr Adegoke Fatai Abiodun, died on November 4 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 bone marrow cancer.
They explained that while Mr Adegoke had, on May 28, apprehended four students gambling in the school, he was not attacked or beaten by any of the students.
Olayiwola said investigations showed that the teacher injured himself while attempting to discipline one of the students.
He said Mr Adegoke dislocated his arm after his hand struck the student’s elbow when the boy ducked.
“The fact of the matter is that the late Mr Adegoke had been sick. The principal told me he had been receiving treatment for months before his death. He was finally diagnosed with bone marrow cancer two weeks before he passed,” the commissioner said.
He added that the ministry spoke with the teacher’s wife, a staff member of TESCOM, who also confirmed that her husband was never beaten by students.
Olayiwola warned the public to be mindful of unverified reports, noting that the fake story had caused unnecessary tension. He said the government would send a delegation led by the TESCOM chairman to condole with the family.
Principal Adeyinka also faulted the viral story, describing Mr Adegoke as a dedicated teacher whose sickness was discovered late.
He said the school and the NUT had raised funds for his treatment and followed due process by transferring him to a government hospital when his condition worsened.
“It was at the hospital that doctors confirmed he had bone marrow cancer at an advanced stage. He died the following day,” Adeyinka said.
He added that the students caught gambling were immediately disciplined by the school.
NUT chairman Oladimeji condemned the fake report, which he said could discourage teachers from doing their jobs. He explained that the union only became involved after the teacher needed financial support for treatment and confirmed that about N2 million was raised for his care.
He said the union had since issued a clarification to calm nerves and present the accurate version of events.
The government and the NUT extended condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Oyo govt, NUT dismiss claims teacher was beaten to death by students
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