Colleagues Seek Justice for Ijaiye Ojokoro Teacher Held Over School Drama

Colleagues of Mr. Peter Shodipe, a teacher at Ijaiye Ojokoro Junior College in Lagos, have appealed to authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding a drama presentation that reportedly triggered panic among students and led to his arrest.

Shodipe was taken into custody after a co-curricular programme organised by the school’s National Value Education Department caused confusion when some students allegedly mistook a drama on banditry and kidnapping for a real security threat.

The incident occurred during a Wednesday school activity and reportedly escalated after frightened students began shouting that bandits had invaded the school, prompting panic within the educational complex and attracting the attention of security agencies.

However, colleagues of the teacher insist that the exercise was an approved educational programme designed to raise awareness about insecurity and not an attempt to create social media content or spread false information.

A teacher who spoke anonymously said the programme formed part of activities marking National Awareness Day and included a quiz competition, awareness talks and a drama presentation focused on the causes, effects and prevention of insecurity.

According to the source, the National Value Education Department, which comprises teachers of Social Studies, Civic Education, Security Education and History, jointly planned the programme, while Shodipe was assigned responsibility for coordinating the drama segment.

“The drama was not a standalone activity. It was part of a broader educational programme designed to educate students about insecurity and vigilance,” the teacher said.

The source explained that students selected for the presentation rehearsed under Shodipe’s supervision a day before the event, while preparations on the day of the programme took place openly within the school premises.

The teacher further claimed that officials of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps stationed at the school, as well as some parents dropping off their children, witnessed students preparing for the performance.

According to the account, confusion broke out when a bus used as a prop for the drama moved into position and some students who were unaware of the planned exercise began shouting that bandits had arrived.

The panic reportedly spread quickly, causing some students to flee into neighbouring schools while others ran towards nearby roads, prompting concerned residents to alert security agencies.

Another teacher disclosed that police officers later arrived at the school and subsequently arrested Shodipe.

The incident later drew public attention after the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, referenced the case during a meeting with police officers, describing it as an example of content creation that caused public panic.

His comments, however, have been challenged by some staff members, who insist the exercise was purely educational.

“We were surprised to hear it described as content creation because this was not a skit for social media. Mr. Shodipe is a classroom teacher carrying out an assignment approved by his department,” one colleague said.

The teachers acknowledged that communication gaps may have contributed to the misunderstanding but argued that any lapses should be treated as administrative issues rather than criminal offences.

They have called on investigators to speak with teachers involved in organising the programme, parents who witnessed preparations and security personnel stationed at the school before reaching any conclusions.

“What we are asking for is fairness. The incident was an unintended consequence of an educational role-play, not a deliberate attempt to create panic or spread false information,” a source added.

It was also gathered that members of Shodipe’s family have reportedly been unable to gain access to him since his detention.

When contacted, the Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Teachers, Gbenga Ayetobo, said the union had not yet received official information on the matter.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from the Lagos State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.