A teacher from Soun High School, Mr Fatai Adegoke, passed away following a brutal attack by his students, who he was trying to prevent from gambling during school time. An eyewitness revealed that the situation worsened when the students became aggressive, causing severe harm to Mr Adegoke, including broken bones. Despite being taken to a close-by hospital, he unfortunately died from his injuries. A group of concerned educators released a statement, mourning the loss of their colleague, describing him as a committed and dedicated professional, whose life was tragically taken while fulfilling his duty. “With profound sorrow and justified anger, we lament the unfortunate and preventable demise of Mr Fatai Adegoke, an educator who was assaulted by his own pupils as he endeavored to halt their gambling activities during school time.” “This shocking act is not merely an attack on an individual, but a strike against the entire teaching profession,” the statement stated. The group urged the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and law enforcement to ensure that those responsible face justice. They also called for holding the parents of the offenders accountable for not instilling discipline in their children. Describing the incident as indicative of a moral decline in schools and homes, the educators stressed the urgent need for improved safety measures, moral education, and stricter discipline enforcement in Nigeria’s public schools. Attempts to contact the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, for official confirmation were unsuccessful at the time of this report. In the meantime, reports suggest that the students involved have gone into hiding, leading to community outrage and renewed demands for better protection for teachers while they fulfill their responsibilities.
