Tai Solarin College of Education Expels 26 Alleged Cultists

The authorities of the Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu in Ogun State on Tuesday announced the expulsion of 26 students of the college for alleged involvement in cultism. Violence attributed to cultists in the school forced the on-going examination to be disrupted on Monday. Announcing the expulsion, the College Registrar, Tunji Kanimodo, told journalists shortly after getting the nod from the State Government in Abeokuta, that the latest development will not affect the examinations as it is expected to continue on Wednesday. The registrar said trouble started last week, when the suspected cultists stormed the college to disrupt the examination claiming that they had not paid their school fees. "But, all efforts to calm them down led to break down of law and order on Monday, as they (the cultists) regrouped with other members outside the College to unleash violence," Mr. Kanimodo stated. He said the ensuing violence led to an assault on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and five staff of the College, while the DPO's car was damaged. "Immediately, the management headed for Abeokuta, where the decision to expel the identified 26 students was taken," Mr. Kanimodo explained. He assured that examinations will continue "as appropriate security provisions, with the DC (Operations) in charge, was fully in place to prevent further damage to properties." When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, adding that some arrests had been made over the assault on the DPO and the College staff.