Ogun Government Suspends Ilugun High School Principals Following Student’s Death

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Ogun State Government has suspended the principals of both the junior and senior sections of Ilugun High School, Elega, Abeokuta, following the tragic death of a student.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, announced the suspension during a press briefing in Abeokuta, stating that the action would remain in effect pending the conclusion of a full investigation.

According to the Commissioner, preliminary findings revealed that the principal of the junior school, Mrs Alaba Olukoga, was involved in the unauthorised collection of fees, which allegedly triggered a protest by students.

He explained that local security operatives were called in to disperse the protesters, during which one of the students reportedly attempted to flee by scaling a fence into a nearby river, where he tragically lost his life.

Professor Arigbabu noted that although the senior school principal, Mrs Temitope Ladipo, was not directly implicated, her suspension was necessary to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the investigation.

The Commissioner expressed the government’s condolences to the bereaved family, describing the loss as painful and irreparable, and assured that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

He also urged students to remain calm and avoid acts of vandalism, warning that damaging school property would only exacerbate the challenge of inadequate infrastructure.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing free and quality education across the state, Professor Arigbabu pledged that the outcome of the investigation would be made public in due course.