The Oyo State Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State chapter, have dismissed claims that a teacher was beaten to death by students in Ogbomoso, calling the reports false and a gross misrepresentation of events.
According to The PUNCH, in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, noted that the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola; Oyo State NUT Chairman, Raji Oladimeji; and Soun High School Principal, Mr. Ajayi Adeyinka, all provided separate accounts of the incident.
They clarified that the late teacher, Mr. Adegoke Abiodun, did not die as a result of any attack by students.
The incident in question occurred on May 28, 2025, when Mr. Adegoke confronted four students caught gambling on school premises, while his passing occurred later on November 4, 2025.
“The Oyo State Government and the education community commiserate with the family of the deceased, praying for the repose of his soul, while also warning the public to be wary of fake news,” the statement read.
Olayiwola explained that investigations confirmed the teacher was not assaulted. “Though it is true that the late Mr. Adegoke apprehended four students gambling, he dislocated his arm while trying to reprimand one of them, not because of an attack by the students,” he said.
He added that Mr. Adegoke initially sought treatment from a local bone therapist and a private hospital, before being diagnosed with Stage 4 bone marrow cancer.
The commissioner cautioned against spreading unverified reports, saying, “We have investigated the matter thoroughly and found the claims to be false. The principal of the school reported directly to the ministry. The late Mr. Adegoke had been receiving medical attention since the onset of his illness.”
Olayiwola provided further context on the May 28 incident, “One of the students involved was personally known to Mr. Adegoke. While attempting to discipline him, the teacher’s hand landed awkwardly on the boy’s elbow, causing swelling. Medical attention was immediately sought.”
He noted that Mr. Adegoke’s health deteriorated, prompting additional tests that revealed advanced bone marrow cancer. “It is unfortunate that some people have used this tragic event to spread falsehoods,” he added.
Corroborating the account, Principal Adeyinka emphasized that the teacher’s death was illness-related, not due to student aggression.
“After discovering the students gambling, we disciplined them immediately. Mr. Adegoke later developed health complications, which were diagnosed as Stage 4 bone marrow cancer,” he said.
NUT Chairman Oladimeji also condemned the spread of misinformation, stating, “The union became involved to raise funds for Mr. Adegoke’s treatment. About N2 million was raised, but unfortunately, he passed away due to his illness. The claim that he was beaten to death is entirely false and has caused unnecessary tension.”
