Lagos School Takes Action: 3 Students Expelled Over Father's Assault

Lagos School Expels 3 Students After Father's Assault on Teacher, Staff

The school responded that there was no issue with settling but made it clear that their three children could...

Lagos School Assault Update: Father Arraigned After Attacking Teacher, Sanitary Worker

Lagos State's Rosebud School has expelled three students due to their father's violent behavior. On October 10, 2024, Ayofe Kolawole, 44, physically assaulted teacher Elizabeth Ogri, 34, and sanitary worker Agnes Paul inside a classroom.

During the altercation, Ogri began filming the incident, prompting Kolawole to attack her as well.

The school's Public Relations Officer, Vivian Shonekan, confirmed the expulsion of Kolawole's children during a visit to the Igando premises on October 21.

Shonekan stated that the school took this measure due to the severity of the incident.

Details of the Incident:

• Date: October 10, 2024
• Location: Rosebud School, Idimu area, Lagos State
• Perpetrator: Ayofe Kolawole (44)
• Victims: Elizabeth Ogri (34) and Agnes Paul
• Consequence: Expulsion of Kolawole's three children

This decision underscores the school's commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for students and staff.

Shonekan said, “They (the parents) returned to apologise and expressed their regret, requesting a settlement. The school responded that there was no issue with settling but made it clear that their three children could not return. The school firmly decided that the children would not be readmitted.”

According to the 34-year-old worker, Agnes Paul, the incident occurred during closing time when she was cleaning the classroom upstairs. She recounted:

“I was sweeping when the man suddenly rushed upstairs, shouting and demanding to see his son. He kept yelling, 'Where's my son? Where's my son?' Elizabeth Ogri, the teacher, intervened, informing him that his son was downstairs.”

The 34-year-old worker said, “It was closing time, and I had gone upstairs to clean the classroom. I was already sweeping when the man rushed upstairs, shouting and demanding to see his son. He kept yelling, Where's my son? Where's my son? The teacher, Ogri, told him that the boy was downstairs.

“However, he kept asking angrily, over and over, so I told him again that the teacher said his son was downstairs. Suddenly, he began hitting and punching me before others intervened to stop him.

“Since then, I've been coughing at night and experiencing chest and body pain. The school has been covering my hospital bills, but I'm still not feeling any better. I need to return to the hospital for some tests.”

Elizabeth Ogri, a four-year veteran teacher at Rosebud School, revealed that the incident stemmed from an incident on October 8, 2024. One of Ayofe Kolawole's three children complained of feeling unwell.

Acting with maternal instinct, Ogri provided first aid by closing windows and turning off the classroom fan to create a comfortable environment for the boy.

“Everything seemed fine until two days later, October 10, when Kolawole stormed into the classroom.” Ogri recounted.

Details:

Incident origin: October 8, 2024 (child's illness)

Ogri's response: Administering first aid

Kolawole's reaction: Storming into the classroom on October 10

Ogri's account highlights her compassionate response as a teacher and mother figure.

“Shortly after that, the boy told me he was cold, despite the heavy rain that day. I had already closed the classroom windows, but he still felt chilly. I turned off the classroom fan, and the kernel oil was still on my fingernail.

“I held the boy and checked his temperature, trying to warm him up. I carried him, assuring him he would feel better, and touched him again to check his temperature.

“The parents came to the school, accusing me of wanting to initiate their child, claiming that such initiation was always done on the forehead and hands. They questioned why I was touching their child's head.”

Ogri stated that the parents requested a written assurance, insisting she sign an undertaking to confirm the kernel oil's legitimate use, dispelling any concerns about fetish practices.

She continued, “I explained to them that I only checked his body temperature because he complained of feeling cold.

“They demanded that I sign an undertaking stating that the kernel oil I used was not fetish and that it would not harm the boy. I was shocked, as I hadn't poured the oil on him or rubbed it on his body.

“I told them I couldn't sign any undertaking they had prepared. I documented what transpired, but they insisted that I sign their undertaking.

“Eventually, I agreed to sign it for the sake of peace. They then called the police, who arrested and detained me after he had beaten up the cleaner and attacked me. I am traumatised by the entire incident.”

On Monday, October 21, Commander Ajeigbe Olayinka of the Area M Police Command in Idimu claimed he hadn't heard about the incident and promised a police investigation. The following day, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed via (link unavailable) that Ayofe Kolawole, the father who assaulted a teacher and sanitary worker, had been arraigned.

Benjamin Hundeyin is a seasoned police superintendent and Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, with a background in English Language and Legal Criminology. His statement provides an update on the case's progress.