In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, Ondo State Police authorities have confirmed the arrest of a 27-year-old man named Oke Loya for the alleged murder of a secondary school student in Arogbo, Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to reports, the victim, Timibra Meretighan, was assaulted by the suspect within the premises of Ijaw National High School in Arogbo. The incident took place while students were in the midst of writing their Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination.
Eyewitnesses stated that the suspect abruptly entered the school premises and began chasing the students. In a horrifying turn of events, he targeted Timibra, physically attacked him, and ultimately strangled him to death.
The School’s Principal wasted no time, as the incident was immediately reported to the local police station in the community. Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, confirmed the incident during a press briefing on Friday.
It has been revealed that the suspect claimed the students had referred to him as a madman. While investigations into the matter are underway, the suspect has been apprehended by the authorities.
This shocking incident has raised concerns and sparked discussions about mental health. Although such incidents of strangers entering schools and targeting students are rare in Nigeria, apart from cases involving the kidnapping of students by bandits, it is evident that the suspect may be suffering from mental health issues. It emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns in Nigeria, as incidents like these, while uncommon in our country, have been observed in other developed nations.
To provide context, examples of similar tragic incidents from other countries can be cited. On May 24, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, USA, where a former student fatally shot multiple students and teachers. Another incident took place on March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, where a former student killed several individuals before being shot by the police.
Given the nature of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it, it raises the question of whether the suspect may be mentally deranged to have carried out such a horrific act. Mental health evaluation and further investigation will be crucial in determining the factors contributing to this tragic event.
