Osun closes six schools over attacks by alleged cult members

Six secondary schools have been shut down by the Osun State Government following unruly behaviour and violent clashes which hampered teaching and learning in the schools since last week.

The Guardian learnt that some persons suspected to be members of a cult attacked the schools including; Anglican High Schools 1 to 5 and Adenle Middle School all located in same premises at Testing Ground area, Osogbo, the State capital.

The cultists were said to have invaded the schools and attacked
teachers and students on sight thrice in a week.

During the last attack, on Tuesday, a member of Peace Corps attached to the school to enforce discipline was said to have been attacked and axed on the head.

According to sources within the affected schools, trouble started last week Wednesday when a student, identified as Tobi Oluaye in a rare display of audacity ordered a female Home Economics teacher out of class.

Oluaye was alleged to have been coming to school with dangerous weapon and gun, because of insinuations that members of Peace Corps were being returned to schools to enforce discipline in students.

The police and the Department of State Security were said to have been informed of the unruly conduct of the student who was arrested within the school premises last week Friday.

Some people believed to be members of his cult group in retaliation reportedly stormed the school and attacked both the police and students.

A teacher who craved for anonymity said, “When the police arrived, some people, who were not in school uniform, mobilised and launched attack on them. Two teachers, one female and male were injured during the melee.

“Again on Monday when we arrived school, some policemen were sighted in the school and students and some people in mufti mobilised against them. But some of them were arrested. This forced the closure of the schools indefinitely’’.