30 pupils arrested for setting classrooms on fire

November 2, 2016 8:55 PM

30 students have been arrested for their involvement in the destruction of classrooms.

Razed classrooms in Oyo state

The Oyo State Police Command has revealed the arrest of 30 pupils for their alleged involvement in the destruction of classrooms of public schools in the state.

The disclosure was made on Tuesday, November 2, Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Adekunle Ajisebutu.

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The classrooms were reportedly destroyed during a violent protest staged by the pupils over new government policies abolishing automatic promotion for secondary school students.

The students went on rampage in Oyo town and Ibadan, destroying school infrastructure, leading to the indefinite closure of five schools, Community Secondary School, Iyana Idi-Ose; Ojoo High School, Ojoo, Ibadan; Isale Oyo Community High School, Oyo; Anglican-Methodist Secondary School, Oyo; and Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo.

Ajisebutu said that 25 of the erring students were arrested in Oyo, while another five were apprehended in Ibadan.

“The police have arrested 30 pupils for their involvement in the protest and destruction of public property.

“Those arrested in Ibadan have been charged to court, while their counterparts from Oyo will be in court before Thursday,” He said

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Earlier, a Socio-Cultural group, Oyo Development Initiative, condemned the protest staged by the students describing it as sad while warning that those involved would be punished by the government.

The Oyo state government has said that the policy would not be reversed despite the protests.