The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a student-teacher, Adeola Adeyemo, following a tragic classroom incident that led to an 11-year-old pupil, Idera Alao, losing her right eye.

According to a report, the accident occurred at Owiwi Nursery and Primary School in the Obada Oko area of the state, where Adeyemo, a 400-level student of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, was undergoing her teaching practice.

According to police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, the incident happened when Adeyemo, holding a cane during classroom activities, accidentally injured the primary six pupil.

“The teacher was not flogging the student, nor was there any disciplinary action involved,” Odutola clarified. “The student rushed toward her, and the cane accidentally pierced her eye.”

The injured pupil was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, for treatment, where surgeons were forced to remove her right eye.

Reacting to the devastating outcome, Adeyemo reportedly attempted suicide but was promptly rescued and rushed to the hospital, where she is now in stable condition.

The police are currently interrogating the teacher to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. Odutola reiterated that the incident was purely accidental and not comparable to previous disciplinary tragedies, such as the October case where an SS2 student, Monday Arijo, died after being severely punished by a teacher.

This latest incident has reignited discussions about the role of student-teachers in classrooms and the need for stricter guidelines to prevent such tragedies. Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government and school authorities are expected to address the situation to ensure justice and improved safety measures.