Areago Community High School in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State was deserted on Monday as both students and teachers stayed away following a violent clash with local residents.
The incident, which occurred last Thursday, reportedly led to the arrest of four staff members, including the Vice Principal (Administration), Mr. Ajayi; senior teachers Mr. Oladeji and Mr. Adekunle; and a school day guard.
By Monday, the school was virtually empty, with only a handful of students present and no teachers available for teaching or learning activities. A student who requested anonymity remarked, “We did not see our teachers today. We don’t know why, but I am sure it is not unconnected with the invasion of the school last week. We will also leave soon.”
Instead of reporting to the school, teachers gathered at the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) zonal office in Oja-Tuntun, Ogbomoso, to register their protest. Observers noted the teachers sitting in groups while signing the attendance register at the zonal office. The school principal, however, was reportedly summoned to TESCOM’s headquarters in Ibadan for further discussions on the matter.
The conflict between students and residents reportedly began when students blocked access through the school premises due to ongoing efforts by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to construct a perimeter fence for security purposes. A teacher, speaking anonymously, explained, “The construction of the fence has become imperative in view of insecurity in the school.”
The clash escalated to the point that residents allegedly invaded the school premises, leading to confrontations and the subsequent arrest of staff members.
