The Oyo State Police Command has found 17 students guilty of vandalizing science laboratory equipment worth over N25 million at Christ Apostolic Church Grammar School, Oniyere, Ibadan.
The police arrested 59 students in connection with the destruction, but after investigations, 17 of them were indicted.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting on Monday at the Eleyele Police Headquarters, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, confirmed the findings.
“On Thursday last week, pupils of Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, went on the rampage and invaded the CAC Grammar School.
“During the attacks, several vehicles were destroyed, and science laboratory equipment worth millions of naira was vandalized. Some individuals also suffered machete cuts during the incident,” Adenola said.
He described the situation as unacceptable and said the police, alongside local security forces, quickly brought it under control.
“I personally interviewed these students on Saturday, and the revelations were shocking. I was surprised at the level of indiscipline in public schools,” he added.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Salihu Adelabu, condemned the increasing indiscipline in public schools.
“The government is investing so much in education, yet some students do not appreciate these efforts,” Adelabu said.
He warned that any student found guilty of misconduct would face strict punishment.
“The parents also have a role to play in raising their children. What we are seeing today is the result of parental failure,” he added.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni, urged parents to take their responsibilities seriously.
“The government will not tolerate such acts of violence. Parents must pay attention to their children’s behavior,” he said.
The police assured the public that further investigations were ongoing and that those found guilty would be prosecuted accordingly.
