KEY POINTS
- The student collapsed after allegedly performing 162 frog jumps.
- State authorities attended the funeral and promised justice.
- The school is temporarily shut, and an investigation is ongoing.
Tears flowed on Thursday as Monday Arijo, a high school student who died last month after allegedly being punished by a teacher, was laid to rest in Ogun State’s Imeko-Afon Local Government Area.
Student allegedly punished in school collapses during frog jumps
The 18-year-old’s father, Gbeminiyi Arijo, confirmed the burial to reporters on Thursday, explaining that the family had initially waited for autopsy results before deciding to proceed.
“We buried Monday this afternoon,” Arijo said. “The police advised us to wait for Friday, but we decided not to delay further. As Christians, we have left everything in God’s hands. This is a painful experience, and we will live with it forever, but we trust God to console us. Monday was a promising child,” Punch reported.
A delegation from the Ogun State government reportedly attended the burial.
Arijo died on Oct. 25 at Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, where he was treated after collapsing on Oct. 15. Reports indicate that the school’s principal had directed teachers to punish Arijo and his classmates for unruly behaviour. This followed an incident at a school assembly where an SS2 student questioned the principal about the school’s trash bins, reportedly saying, “Didn’t you buy these wastebaskets with our money?” The principal allegedly reacted by instructing teachers to punish the SS2 students as a deterrent.
The punishment included several strokes of the cane and 160 frog jumps, during which Arijo collapsed. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he remained until his death 11 days later.
School closed, principal suspended as police investigation continues
Ogun State Police Command spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the details, stating that Arijo was made to perform 162 frog jumps and was caned 24 times.
“The incident happened on Oct. 15, 2024. He was rushed to FMC Idi-Aba for medical attention but, unfortunately, died on Oct. 25. His body is now at Ayetoro mortuary, and an autopsy is underway. The investigation is ongoing,” Odutola said.
In response, the Ogun State government has suspended the principal and temporarily closed the school to ease tensions following the tragedy.
