Image caption: photo used for illustration
Areago High School Ogbomoso crisis: Detained teachers released, more attacks launched, 2 others arrested
Khalid ABRAHAM
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The four teachers detained by the police at Owode Police Station Ogbomoso, Oyo state, have regained freedom after being admitted to bail Friday night.
The four staff including vice principal admin, Mr. Ajayi Ernest, Mr. Adekunle, Mr. Oladeji (who has less than four months to retirement) and the day guard hired by the parent – teacher association (PTA), were detained Friday morning following a crisis with residents in the neighborhood who were opposed to construction of perimeter fence by the PTA.
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In the melee a pregnant wife was allegedly beaten in the school following which his husband reported at the police station leading to the arrest of the four staff alleged of instigating the students.
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The principal, Mr. John Akande, who stood as surety for the four travailed teachers, confirmed to ogbomosoinsightonline.com that the four had regained freedom.
“However, we would reconvene on Monday with the complainant to try amicable resolution. But if it fails it would result in litigation,” the principal added.
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He also alleged that the other teachers who remained in the school while the issue was being sorted out at the police station on Friday suffered further attacks from touts in the neighbourhood whom he said pummelled them with woods and other weapons but that the prompt intervention of the police quelled the invasion leading to the arrest of two of the suspected attackers.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that authorities in the teaching profession – Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and some past leaders of NUT rose in support of the school.
“The director of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Ogbomoso zonal office and some supervisors; immediate past state chairman of NUT, Comrade Prince Toju Adedoyin; Prince Dokun Alamu; NUT chairman in Ogbomoso North local government, Comrade Tunde Oladapo; and several other leaders quickly went to the police station when they heard about the matter,” a teacher of the school who pleaded that his name is not mentioned informed Ogbomoso Insight.
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Mr. Akande similarly commended Rev’d Peter Olaleye, coordinating assistant on media and community relations to the Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, disclosing he promptly came to the station to meet with the Area Commander after he informed him. “Rev’d Olaleye expressed concern why teachers must be arrested and detained in such manner,” the principal stated, quoting Olaleye.
“The solidarity shown by all is inspiring are-assuring,” the principal concluded.
