Tears flowed freely on Thursday as family, friends, and well-wishers gathered to bury Monday Arijo, the 18-year-old student of Community High School, Obada, Idi-emi, in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, who tragically died last month after allegedly being punished by a teacher.
The late Monday, an SS2 student, passed away on October 25 at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, 10 days after collapsing during a punishment session at school on October 15.
Monday’s father, Gbeminiyi Arijo, confirmed the burial to our correspondent on Thursday, explaining that although they were initially waiting for an autopsy report, they had decided to bury their son as the report was delayed.
“We have buried Monday this afternoon. The police had asked us to wait until Friday to bury him, as the autopsy report was expected in about three or four days. However, since the report isn’t ready and it might take longer, we decided to go ahead with the burial to allow him to rest. As Christians, we have left the rest to God,” Gbeminiyi said.
He described the loss as “a painful experience that the family will forever live with,” adding that they were comforted by their faith in God. “Monday was a very promising and useful child,” he said.
A delegation from the Ogun State government was reported to have attended the burial.
The tragic incident unfolded on October 15 when Monday Arijo and several of his classmates were allegedly punished by their principal and teachers for misbehaving. According to reports, the students were initially reprimanded during morning assembly for improper waste disposal at the school.
It was said that during the assembly, the principal had lectured the students about properly using dustbins to dispose of waste, warning them against littering. One of the SS2 students reportedly responded sarcastically, questioning whether the school had bought the wastebaskets with their money.
This remark angered the principal, who then ordered the students to be punished. The punishment reportedly involved the students being given strokes of the cane and forced to do 160 frog jumps. It was during this physical exercise that Monday collapsed.
He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, for treatment but tragically passed away on October 25, after spending 11 days in the hospital.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Omolola Odutola clarifying that the punishment involved 24 strokes of the cane and 162 frog jumps, not the 162 strokes of the cane that had been reported in some media outlets.
“The incident happened on October 15, 2024. The deceased was asked to do 162 frog jumps and was given 24 strokes of the cane. He collapsed and was rushed to FMC Idi-Aba for medical attention. Unfortunately, he died on October 25. His body has been deposited at the Ayetoro mortuary for an autopsy, and investigations are ongoing,” Odutola stated.
In response to the incident, the Ogun State government has taken action by suspending the principal involved in the punishment and closing the school temporarily to calm tensions.
The death of Monday Arijo has sparked outrage and raised questions about the use of corporal punishment in Nigerian schools. The tragic incident has prompted public calls for a thorough investigation and a review of disciplinary practices in schools across the country.
As the investigation continues, the Arijo family, along with the wider community, continues to mourn the loss of a promising young life, with many hoping that the tragic incident will lead to reforms aimed at protecting students from similar fates in the future.
