Vice Principal Beaten by Pupil’s Family After Phone Seizure During WAEC

Vice Principal Beaten by Pupil’s Family After Phone Seizure During WAEC

A disturbing incident has rocked the Complete Child Development Centre in Akure, Ondo State, after the school’s Vice Principal, Mr. Alexander Rotifa, was brutally assaulted by family members and alleged thugs following the confiscation of a phone from a final-year student during the ongoing West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

According to the school’s rules, students are strictly prohibited from bringing mobile phones to school during major examinations such as WAEC and NECO. However, the routine enforcement of this policy turned violent when Mr. Rotifa seized a mobile phone from SS3 student Elisha Wisdom in line with examination regulations.

After failing to retrieve the phone from school authorities, Elisha reportedly called in his family for assistance. His mother and brother—an alumnus of the school—allegedly stormed the school, insisting the phone was used strictly for business and not for cheating.

Principal of the school, Mrs. Chioma Avbayeru, narrated the events:

“That day, the vice principal found a phone on Elisha, brought it to me, and I kept it in my office as per procedure. Later, the boy hovered around my office, clearly attempting to retrieve the phone, but I reminded him of the rules—that he would only get the phone back after his NECO exams.

“Around school closing hours, the student’s mother came to demand immediate return of her son’s phone, claiming it was her business line.

“I told her that no student is allowed to bring phones to school, but she became furious. After failing to retrieve it from me, she went to confront Mr. Rotifa.”

The confrontation quickly escalated, and the phone was only released on the orders of the school’s director. Moments later, Rotifa was found bloodied and injured.

“He came to our house, covered in blood. His eyes were swollen, his face was bleeding, and he was in a terrible state. He said he was dragged from a vehicle and beaten mercilessly,” the principal recounted.

Reports indicate the attack involved the student, his brother, and other suspected gang members. Mr. Rotifa was immediately hospitalised.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident. Spokesman DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola said:

“We were on ground but later left, believing the issue had been resolved and that we would return later. It was only afterward that we learned the man was beaten and assaulted.”

Read also: WAEC Explains 3-Hour Exam Delay, Late Night Finish: Security Measures Against Exam Leakage Cited

In response to the public outcry, Police Commissioner Wilfred Afolabi ordered the arrest of all suspects involved. Five people, including Elisha’s mother, were taken in for questioning.

However, in a twist, Elisha’s father, Mr. Elisha Collins Imoukhuede, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, accusing the school and law enforcement of abuse of power.

“On May 28, 2025, my son, Elisha Wisdom, a pupil of Complete Child Development Centre, Awule, Akure, went to school with his mother’s mobile phone, which is used for her business operations. His teacher confiscated the phone for allegedly violating school rules.”

The petition described the situation as a case of “harassment, unlawful seizure, forced abduction, and defamation” and called for disciplinary and legal action against both school officials and officers from the Okuta Elerinla Police Station.

Mr. Imoukhuede urged a thorough investigation into the school’s conduct and the protection of his son’s reputation.