Tensions ran high at Authentic Royal Preparatory School in Benin City on Saturday as security operatives, accompanied by a government task force, stormed the school premises to disrupt an emergency Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting.
This incident occurred barely 24 hours after the Edo State Government revoked the school’s operational license.
The school’s operational licence had been revoked by the Ministry of Education on Friday, citing inadequate infrastructure that allegedly compromised effective teaching and learning.
In response, concerned parents convened at the school to discuss the implications of the closure and explore possible engagement with the school’s management regarding their children’s academic future.
However, the meeting was abruptly interrupted. According to eyewitness accounts, including a parent identified as Mrs. Igiehon, the task force arrived in what she described as a “commando-style” operation.
“They harassed us and ordered everyone into their vehicles, claiming we were under arrest,” she said.
“Some parents were so frightened they mistook the officials for armed robbers.”
The group was reportedly forced to vacate the premises, which was then taken over by the task force. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and education stakeholders, many of whom view the government’s actions as heavy-handed.
The school’s proprietor, Dr. Godsent Erhumwunse, who also serves as the State Controller of the Association of Formidable Education Development (AFED), has publicly condemned the closure.
He argued that the revocation was less about regulatory compliance and more about personal vendettas.
“This is not about standards—it’s about power,” he said. “I have all my documents in order. The Commissioner is targeting me.”
Erhumwunse further lamented that the school, which serves many scholarship students, was being punished instead of supported.
“This is a low-cost institution helping the underserved. Rather than assist us, the government is trying to crush us,” he added.
The Ministry of Education, however, maintains that the closure was justified. Gabriel Orire, Director of Planning and Statistics, stated that the decision followed an inspection led by Commissioner Dr. Paddy Iyamu.
The school was found to be non-compliant with key operational standards, prompting the enforcement action.
The controversy comes on the heels of growing tensions between private school owners and the state government. On September 16, members of the Coalition of Association of Private Schools (CAPS), which includes AFED, staged a protest against what they described as excessive taxation and unilateral education reforms.
The group also criticized the government’s directive to shift from formal education to a skills-based model, arguing that such policies require broader stakeholder engagement.
As the situation unfolds, education advocates are calling for dialogue and transparency to resolve the impasse and safeguard the interests of students caught in the crossfire.
