Teenagers rob Lagos School Principal of N1.5m

About a 100 teenagers, armed with machetes and other weapons,  are reported  to have attacked the principal of of a Lagos school called ‘Lagooz Schools’ in Omotoye Estate in the Orile Agege neighbourhood, and robbed him of N1.5 million.

The Punch reports that the teenagers, whose ethnicity was said to be Hausa, stormed the school in a ‘free for all’ that lasted for over two hour; attacking the principal and a teacher identified as Uncle John. Apart from destroying properties, the school administrative board alleges that the teenagers made away with N1.5 million.

ooPunch adds that the teenagers took to the streets after they had left the school, causing residents to flee, but they were repelled by members of the Oodua People’s Congress, police officers from the Elere Division and operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad. At least, seven of the teenagers were arrested as the SARS officers opened fire.

Speaking with Punch, a resident had this to say of the rampaging teenagers:

“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.”

Another source added that the school authorities apprehended three of the teenagers and held them hostage in the school, but the ones who were able to leave, mobilised their colleagues who then stormed the school with weapons. Policemen at the school’s gate prevented them from gaining entrance as they shot into the air, but the hoodlums, overwhelmed the security agents due to their number. According to the source “despite the gunshots, the teenagers refused to go. In fact, while some of them knelt, others prostrated and were begging the police to shoot at them. They were saying, ‘Please shoot us; we want to die’.”

Reports also say that some Hausa elders later visited the Lagos school, for peace talks.

Narrating how the rampage started, the Proprietor of the school, Chief Yomi Otubela, said it was only a minor disagreement among students 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.”

Confirming the attack on the Lagos school, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said:

“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.”