The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, has refuted social media reports alleging that a teacher in Ogbomoso was beaten to death by students, labelling the claim as false and misleading.
Addressing the matter on Monday, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola; the State NUT Chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji; and the Principal of Soun High School, Ogbomoso, Mr. Ajayi Adeyinka, provided clarification on the incident.
They explained that the late teacher, Mr. Adegoke Fatai Abiodun, was never assaulted by students, noting that the event in which he apprehended four students gambling occurred on May 28, 2025, while his death took place months later, on November 4, 2025.
According to the Commissioner, investigations from the school confirmed that although Mr. Adegoke apprehended four students for gambling, he was not assaulted. Instead, he dislocated his arm when attempting to discipline one of the students.
Olayiwola said the teacher initially sought treatment from a local bone therapist and later a private hospital before a government hospital diagnosed him with Stage 4 bone marrow cancer.
“We have gone into the roots of the matter and found that the information is false. The late Mr. Adegoke had been sick, and his illness was diagnosed late. I also spoke with his wife, who confirmed that he was not beaten by students,” he said.
He cautioned reporters and the public against spreading unverified information and said a delegation led by the TESCOM chairman would visit the family to console them.
Principal Adeyinka also debunked the claims, saying Mr. Adegoke died from complications related to bone marrow cancer and not from any assault.
“The whole incident happened on May 28, but he was not beaten. He dislocated an arm while trying to discipline one of the students. It was while seeking treatment that the cancer was discovered,” he said.
The principal noted that the school immediately disciplined the students involved in the gambling incident.