School violence in Ogbomoso escalates as four students are arrested for invading a neighbouring school, leaving others injured and properties damaged

School violence in Ogbomoso has reached a troubling peak after four students from Anglican High School, Sabo, were arrested on Monday for attacking neighbouring Anglican Grammar School.

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Both schools share the same compound, having been split in 2003 under the disarticulation policy of former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

Though they co-exist within the same premises, recent years have seen rising tension between the students. Clashes have turned frequent and vicious. The latest incident, however, was particularly violent and has drawn serious attention.

According to witnesses, the four students stormed Anglican Grammar School around 2pm on Monday, armed with dangerous weapons. They attacked fellow students and disrupted school activities.

“They will face the full wrath of the law,” a teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, told ogbomosonsightonline.com. “For weeks now, the students have been fomenting trouble.

They would invade our school at will, unprovoked, brandishing dangerous weapons like axes, cutlasses, broken bottles, clubs, daggers, and even charms.”

The teacher described the attacks as targeted and calculated. “They attack heartlessly, inflicting cuts and injuring other students. They disrupt classes. The gang has turned into a terror group tormenting us daily, both teachers and students,” he added.

Victims of the assault on Monday are currently hospitalised. One student was slashed with a cutlass, another stabbed with a dagger. The violence has left a lasting scar on the school community, emotionally and physically. Several school properties were also damaged during the invasion.

The gang’s influence extends beyond just one school. The teacher revealed that some of its members are found in other institutions, including Nurudeen Grammar School and Ori-Oke Community High School, several kilometres away.

“They hurl stones during break, ignite chaos, and pursue innocent students. It’s pure mayhem,” he lamented.

Among those apprehended was the gang’s alleged leader, a former student known by the nickname “Akera”. He had previously dropped out of Anglican High School.

Another suspect, identified as Peter, reportedly struck a student with a sword earlier that day. Two others were also captured during the operation, although it was later revealed that two have since been released on bail.

A source at the Owode Divisional Police Station confirmed the arrests. “Yes, the students are so troublesome. Most public secondary schools in the city have become plagued by their troubles.

It’s a serious matter,” the officer said. The police are increasingly frustrated with the cycle of arrest and release, often influenced by pressure from influential figures.

“When we arrest them, their parents and relatives start begging. Sometimes they bring highly placed people to plead. That is the dilemma we face,” the officer continued.

However, he expressed a new resolve: “Henceforth, we will start prosecuting them. Four of them will be arraigned tomorrow to serve as deterrent to others.”

The repeated incidents underline a broader issue plaguing secondary schools in the area. What began as isolated clashes has spiralled into organised gang activity threatening the safety of both staff and students.

Calls for stricter enforcement, counselling services, and school reform are growing louder among residents and educators alike.

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While the law begins to take its course, many hope this latest crackdown signals a turning point. For now, school violence in Ogbomoso remains a harsh reality that demands urgent and decisive action.