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Tears flowed freely on Thursday as Monday Arijo, the SS2 student of Community High School, Obada, Idi-emi in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State who died last month after he was allegedly punished by a teacher alongside his colleagues was buried.
The father of the 18-year-old boy, Gbeminiyi Arijo disclosed this to our correspondent on Thursday.
Arijo said, “We have buried Monday this afternoon. The police told us to go and bury him on Friday but we were waiting for the report of the autopsy conducted on him which we gathered should be ready in about three or four days.
“But since the report is not ready and we are hearing that it could take a bit longer, we decided to bury him so that we can allow him to go and rest. As Christians, we have left the rest to God Almighty, the creator of all.
“It is really a painful experience that the family will forever live with but we trust God to console every one of us because Monday was a very useful and promising child.”
A delegation from the state government was said to be present during the burial
Monday died on October 25 at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta where he was rushed to for medical care after collapsing on October 15 when he was being punished with his other classmates.
It was gathered that the Principal of the school had on the fateful day ordered the teachers to punish the SS2 students for their unruly behaviour.
While addressing the students at the Assembly, the Principal was said to have counselled them to make use of the dustbin placed at the strategic places in the school to dispose of their waste and desist from littering the ground or indiscriminate disposal of waste.
One of the students apparently from the SS2 class was said to have quipped “didn’t you buy these waste baskets with our money?”
This action was said to have infuriated the Principal who directed the teachers to punish the students to serve as deterrents to others.
After being given some strokes of canes, the students were also alleged to have done 160 frog jumps and it was during this time that Monday collapsed after which he was taken to hospital for medical care until he died 11 days later.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said that contrary to the reports that the student died after being given 162 strokes of the cane, Ariyo was made to perform 162 frog jumps and was beaten 24 strokes of the cane.
Odutola said, “The incident happened on October 15, 2024. The deceased was asked to do 162 frog jumps and was given 24 strokes of the cane.
“He was rushed to FMC Idi-Aba for medical attention and he died today (October 25). The deceased body has been deposited at the Ayetoro mortuary for autopsy. An investigation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has suspended the principal involved and also closed down the school to douse the tension the tragic incident created.
