Tragedy struck at Soun High School in Oyo State when a teacher, Mr. Fatai Adegoke, was reportedly beaten to death by his students while trying to stop them from gambling during school hours.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred after Mr. Adegoke confronted a group of students caught gambling in the classroom. The confrontation escalated when the students turned violent, attacking the teacher and inflicting severe injuries, including broken limbs.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from the injuries sustained in the assault.

In a statement issued by a coalition of concerned educators, the late teacher was described as a “dedicated and disciplined professional who lost his life in the line of duty.”

“With deep sorrow and anger, we mourn the needless death of Mr. Fatai Adegoke, who was attacked by his own students while enforcing discipline. This act is not only an assault on an individual but a disgraceful affront to the entire teaching profession,” the statement read.

The group called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and security agencies to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted. They also demanded that the parents of the students involved be held accountable for their children’s misconduct.

Describing the incident as a symptom of declining moral values in schools and homes, the educators urged authorities to strengthen safety measures, moral instruction, and discipline enforcement in public schools.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, for official comments were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the students involved have gone into hiding, prompting community outrage and renewed calls for stronger protection of teachers in the course of their duties.