An 18-year-old student of Community High School in Obada, Idi-emi, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, Ogun State, who died during a school punishment, Monday Arijo, was laid to rest on Thursday.
The SS2 student passed away following an incident involving a disciplinary action by his teachers, sparking deep sorrow in his family and the local community.
His father, Gbeminiyi Arijo, spoke with newsmen on the emotional day. “We have buried Monday this afternoon,” he shared. “The police had advised us to bury him on Friday, but we were waiting for the autopsy report, which they told us would be ready in about three or four days. But since the report isn’t ready and there are hints it might take longer, we decided to lay him to rest. As Christians, we leave the rest to God Almighty, the creator of all.” Reflecting on his son’s life, he added, “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 Ogun State government was present at the burial to show their condolences to the grieving family and acknowledge the loss felt by the community.
The tragic incident leading to Monday’s death began on October 15, 2024, when he collapsed after receiving corporal punishment alongside his classmates.
The punishment, allegedly ordered by the school principal, came as a response to perceived disrespect after one of the SS2 students reportedly made a remark during a school assembly.
The principal, addressing students on the importance of using school dustbins for waste disposal, was interrupted by a student saying, “didn’t you buy these waste baskets with our money?”
Upset by the remark, the principal instructed the teachers to discipline the entire SS2 class, reportedly to deter similar behavior in the future.
Monday and his classmates endured physical punishment that included both cane strokes and strenuous exercise.
According to the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, Monday “was asked to do 162 frog jumps and was given 24 strokes of the cane.”
During this punishment, Monday collapsed and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta for urgent care. After spending 11 days in critical condition, he succumbed to his injuries on October 25.
As tensions mounted following his death, the Ogun State government suspended the school principal involved and temporarily shut down Community High School.
The closure was intended to ease the community’s rising unrest as officials launched a thorough investigation.
For the grieving Arijo family, the past weeks have been agonizing. As they awaited the autopsy report and struggled to find closure, Gbeminiyi Arijo expressed his enduring sorrow and hope for justice, saying, “We trust God to console us all.”
