The Ondo State Police Command has arrested five suspects, including the mother of a WAEC candidate, for assaulting a school vice-principal during the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) exams in the state.
DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Akure. The assault took place last Friday at Complete Child Development Centre, Awule area of Akure.
The victim, Mr. Rotifa, was attacked after he stopped a student, Wisdom Elisha, from cheating during the WAEC exams. Wisdom allegedly tried to use an Android phone to cheat, but the vice-principal prevented him.
Following the assault, the police acted swiftly under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations led a tactical team to apprehend the suspects.
Among those arrested is Mrs. Dorcas Asije, the mother of the student involved, and four other accomplices believed to have been hired to attack the school official. The police have transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation,” DSP Ayanlade said.
Exam malpractice has remained a serious problem in Nigeria, undermining the credibility of national examinations and the education system as a whole. The WAEC exam is a critical test for secondary school students across West Africa, and authorities are continuously battling attempts to cheat.
Violence connected to exam malpractice cases is rare but highlights the growing frustration and pressure surrounding these exams. Parents and students are often under intense stress to succeed, which sometimes leads to extreme actions.
The police have warned the public against taking the law into their hands and urged parents and students to respect school authorities and follow exam rules.
The Ondo Police Commissioner has assured residents that the command is committed to ensuring safety and protecting education officers who help maintain order during exams.
As the investigation continues, it is expected that the court will soon determine the fate of Mrs. Asije and the other suspects in the assault case.
