Police Arrest School Proprietor, Over Death Of Toddler

By Akinwale Kasali

The death of Rapheala Ogbodo, a two-year old pupil of Smiley Kids Montessori in Sangotedo axis of Lagos State has continued to generate controversy.

It has led to the arrest of Thomas Ayodele, Proprietor of the School, alongside five other staff members of the school by the Lagos State Police Command.

Rapheala drowned inside the swimming pool of the school located at Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo.

The others apprehended over the toddler’s death are the Head of the Nursery class, Antonia Igbafe, and the deceased pupil’s class teacher, Helen Obhodaghe.

Also in Police custody for further interrogations were the two care-givers, Mohammed Hauwa and Mohammed Habibat, and the Pool Instructor, Udofia Ini-Obong.

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Kayode Sutton, promised their arrest on Saturday, would be followed by a thorough investigation on the two-year old’s death.

Also, the father of the deceased toddler, John Ogbodo, added that the suspects were apprehended by policemen attached to the Ogonbo police station in Lekki axis of the state.

He said: “The Police have arrested the proprietor and about five other staff members in the school. But the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti where the investigation is expected to be expanded”.

It was gathered that the parents of the deceased are demanding for justice, saying that the negligence of the School Management led to the death.

It urged the Lagos State Government to do a thorough investigation and get to the root of the matter, with anyone found culpable made to face the wrath of the law.