The Oyo State Government has officially refuted viral reports claiming a secondary school teacher was beaten to death by students, revealing the educator actually succumbed to Stage 4 bone marrow cancer after a prolonged battle with the illness.
Government Officials Unite Against False Narrative
In coordinated statements issued on Monday, key education authorities dismissed the circulating story as completely false and misleading. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Olusegun Olayiwola, alongside Oyo NUT Chairman Raji Oladimeji and Soun High School Principal Ajayi Adeyinka, provided factual details about the tragic passing of teacher Mr. Adegoke Abiodun.
According to Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, the timeline of events clearly separates the classroom incident from the teacher's eventual death. The confrontation with students occurred on May 28, 2025, while Mr. Abiodun passed away on November 4, 2025 - nearly six months later.
What Actually Happened in the Classroom
Commissioner Olayiwola provided crucial context about the May incident, explaining that the late teacher had intercepted four students engaged in gambling within school premises. During the encounter, Mr. Abiodun sustained a dislocated arm while attempting to discipline one of the students.
"Though it is true that the late Mr Adegoke apprehended four students gambling, he dislocated his arm while trying to reprimand one of them, not because of an attack by the students," the commissioner clarified.
Notably, one of the students involved was personally familiar to the teacher. The injury occurred when the teacher's hand landed awkwardly on the boy's elbow during the disciplinary action, resulting in swelling that required immediate medical attention.
Medical Journey and Tragic Diagnosis
Following the arm injury, Mr. Abiodun sought treatment initially from a local bone healer before progressing to a private hospital. It was during this medical journey that doctors diagnosed him with Stage 4 bone marrow cancer.
The Education Commissioner confirmed that the ministry received comprehensive reports from the school principal verifying that the teacher had been under continuous medical care since his cancer diagnosis. The Oyo chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers mobilized support for their colleague's treatment, raising approximately N2 million for medical expenses through collective efforts.
NUT Chairman Oladimeji expressed disappointment that the tragic circumstances were being misrepresented: "The union became involved to raise funds for Mr Adegoke's treatment. About N2 million was raised, but unfortunately, he passed away due to his illness. The claim that he was beaten to death is entirely false and has caused unnecessary tension."
Authorities Condemn Fake News Spread
School Principal Adeyinka corroborated the official account, confirming that appropriate disciplinary measures were taken against the gambling students immediately after the May incident, and emphasizing that Mr. Abiodun's death resulted solely from his medical condition.
The Oyo State Government has issued a strong warning against circulating unverified information, urging the public to exercise responsibility when sharing content online. Commissioner Olayiwola described the situation as particularly unfortunate, noting that some individuals were exploiting the tragedy to create unnecessary social tension.
"We have investigated the matter thoroughly and found the claims to be false. The late Mr Adegoke had been receiving medical attention since the onset of his illness," Olayiwola stated, while extending the government's condolences to the bereaved family.
The authorities have advised community members to always verify information through official channels before sharing, particularly when dealing with sensitive matters that could inflame public sentiment or disrespect the memory of the deceased.
