Tensions escalated at Complete Child Development College in Ondo during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) after a parent allegedly hired thugs to physically attack the vice principal for stopping their son from cheating.

According to a statement released by the Ondo State Ministry of Education, the attack was reportedly triggered by a parent’s outrage after her child was caught with an android phone during the exam.

The ministry’s report, signed by the Director of Schools, revealed that the incident began on May 26, when Mr. Rotifa seized a mobile phone from an SS3 student who was found in possession of it during the exam. The student’s mother reportedly stormed the school a few days later to confront the management.

“On Thursday, the student’s mother came to the school to fight with the management to the extent that the school proprietor ordered the phone returned to her.

“The student’s brother, who happened to be a former student of the school, later returned to harass and threaten the Vice Principal.

“After school hours, the boys were seen loitering in the area. The proprietor was informed and advised Mr. Rotifa to report the matter at the police station.

“He went to the police, and two officers took him in their van to look for the boys, likely to arrest them.

“They couldn’t find them. But on their way back to the station, the boys waylaid the police van, stopped it, pulled out Mr. Rotifa, and beat him up. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

“According to the school principal, Mr. Rotifa has been discharged but has not returned home out of fear that the boys may come after him again.

The school authority has since filed a report with law enforcement, and investigations are currently underway to apprehend all parties involved.

Education stakeholders have condemned the attack, calling it an affront to the integrity of the examination process and a worrying reflection of growing parental interference in disciplinary systems.

The Ministry of Education has vowed to prosecute the offenders to the full extent of the law, reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice and any form of violence against school personnel.