Teenagers reportedly attack school, beat principal, make away with N1.5m

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PUNCH Metro reports that the teenagers who are reported to have been up to 100 in number, attacked Lagooz schools with machetes and other deadly weapons on Saturday, July 15, 2016.

They reportedly attacked the school principal as well as a teacher identified as, Uncle John, in a rampage that lasted for two hours, damaging school properties and allegedly making away with N1.5 million.

The reports reveal that policemen from the Elere divison, as well as operatives of the Special Anti-robbery Squad and some members of the Oodua People’s Congress, attempted to fight back as residents of the area are reported to have fled their homes.

Seven of the hoodlums were reportedly arrested, while the others escaped after SARS operatives opened fire on them.

A resident of the area, speaking on conditions of anonymity, disclosed that trouble had begun after the schools valedictory party on Saturday, July 15, when the teenagers refused to exit the school premises.

“They were actually relatives of some of the school-leavers. The valedictory service party ended around 5pm, but they refused to leave. A teacher, Uncle John, tried to force them out. One of them abused the teacher and ran away.

“The teacher, who was embarrassed by the abuse, held one of the Hausa teenagers. There was a struggle between them. As the teacher hit the man, he also fought back and held the teacher by the neck, almost strangulating him.

“The principal, who wanted to settle the fight, was held by the tie by one of the intruders and beaten up. The principal’s brother, who wanted to rescue him, was given a fist blow in the eye.”

About four dozen of the chairs were destroyed during the rampage, with three of the teenagars apprehended and held captive in one of the class rooms.

A source reveals to PUNCH Metro that the teenagers had, however, called other gang members who turned up at the school, causing even more damage.

Some Hausa leaders reportedly visited the school to hold a truce meeting, after which the proprietor of the school, Chief Yomi Otubela, described the fracas as a minor disagreement among the pupils of the school.

“The issue was about some teenagers who had issues with themselves on where to park their cars. The police that were on duty at the school gate actually mediated. No school property was damaged; nothing happened during our valedictory service.”

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However, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirming the attack, disclosed that seven suspects had been arrested.

“Some hoodlums entered the school’s premises and destroyed some property. They allegedly made away with N1.5m.

“Our operatives from the Elere divison were contacted and they swiftly moved in and arrested seven of the suspects. The suspects have been handed over to the Area G headquarters for further investigation.”

The apprehended suspects are presently in police custody pending further investigation.