…. Residents frightened, Students injured, as Ondo Govt reacts.
Pandemonium broke out as fear gripped residents in parts of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Friday, as students of Aquinas College, Akure allegedly clashes with Commercial secondary school and St. Michael’s Secondary School in Akure around the Continental area of the city.
Eyewitnesses said students from both schools engaged in a free-for-all fight, throwing stones and broken bottles, leaving several people injured and vehicles damaged.
Another account shows that the secondary schools students freely used dangerous weapons, as confirmed by an aide to the Governor, saying “So, I saw Aquinas College Akure students today with my naked eyes wielding weapons and fighting on the main road. So sad for the coming generation.”
A video of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, captured voices raising alarm over the violence, describing it as “strange” and noting that such clashes had not been witnessed in Akure for years.
An eyewitness, Afolabi Oluwabukolami, recounted:
“Fortunately, I happened to pass by the school at that moment. The students were throwing stones and broken bottles, and I felt frightened even inside the car.”
Another social media user, Oluwatoyin Blessing Ezekiel, confirmed that security agencies were present at the scene, saying: “The security agencies were there yesterday.”
Public reactions on social media have been mixed, with many condemning the violence and calling for stronger parental and school discipline.
SA Bright commented: “Parents have to wake up to their responsibilities because charity begins at home.”
Audu Eneji Seun Joseph suggested the fight may have stemmed from personal issues, saying: “Chai!! E fit be on girl matter like that.”
Jibayor Tbk wrote: “Passed there this afternoon and it was serious. Akure students are something else. This Aquinas, Saint Michael, CAC, Seven Stars… they need to remove bad eggs from those schools.”
Hellen Abosede Helightapparels added: “Ah! Last week ma, St Dominic’s and United CAC. Na police their teachers use scare them. Nawa o.”
Comr O’Seyi, identifying as a member of the Aquinas community, urged people not to generalise the actions of a few students, saying:
“Don’t spoil the good name of the school. We don’t do such. ACA… Integritas.”
When contacted, the Principal of Aquinas College, Tai- Adebowale Adelusi declined to give details, saying he was not authorised to comment, but insisted that “as far as I know, nobody was injured yesterday.”
He explained that the matter would be handled by the Ministry of Education and the Zonal Education Office.
In his reaction, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, who condemned the development said the state government would order an immediate investigation to determine the cause and prevent future reccurrence.
