Father of Deceased Ogun Student Seeks Justice, Alleges Brutal School Punishment Led to Son’s Death
In an interview with the Saturday Punch, Mr. Gbeminiyi Arijo, the father of Monday Arijo, an SS2 student of Obada Grammar School in Ogun State, shared harrowing details of his son’s last days after enduring what he describes as severe, excessive punishment. According to Mr. Arijo, his son received 40 strokes of the cane and was forced to complete 150 frog jumps as punishment during a school assembly incident on October 15.
The punishment allegedly resulted in Monday hitting his head on a concrete floor, leading to injuries that eventually proved fatal.
Mr. Arijo recounted that his son collapsed after the strenuous exercise, sustaining head trauma that led to a week-long struggle in multiple hospitals. Monday, just 18 years old, was buried on November 7 after succumbing to his injuries on October 25 at Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
Mr. Arijo alleged that one teacher continued to kick Monday even as he lay on the ground, apparently foaming at the mouth and visibly unwell, with other students watching in distress. Attempts to cover up the incident have been made, Mr. Arijo claimed, as school authorities attributed Monday’s injuries to an unrelated motorcycle accident—an account the grieving father vehemently denies.
He expressed disappointment over the handling of the situation by the school, calling for justice and an investigation into the teachers’ actions. Mr. Arijo also questioned the school’s disciplinary practices, criticizing what he calls “brutality” in the guise of punishment. He highlighted that the physical punishment, allegedly involving 10 teachers, has affected over 70 students, leaving other parents alarmed.
While appreciative of support from the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Arijo is calling on the government to not only deliver justice but also to immortalize Monday’s memory as a symbol of the urgent need for reform in the discipline policies within schools. He urges educators to embrace humane disciplinary measures, expressing hope that Monday’s tragic death will serve as a wake-up call for greater accountability.
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