Tensions have deepened in Benin City after security operatives, reportedly acting under the orders of the Edo State Government task force, stormed the premises of Authentic Royal Preparatory School on Saturday to disrupt a Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after the school’s operational licence was revoked by the State Ministry of Education, over what officials described as “inadequate infrastructure” that hampers effective teaching and learning.
Following Friday’s shutdown order, worried parents convened an emergency PTA meeting on Saturday to discuss the fate of their children and possible dialogue with school management.
But according to one parent, Mrs. Igiehon, the gathering had barely begun when task force officials and armed security personnel stormed the premises “in a commando style.”
“They began to harass us and ordered everyone to enter their vehicles because, according to them, we were under arrest. Some parents resisted, while others were traumatised, thinking they were robbers. They eventually drove us out of the premises and took over the area,” she alleged.
The school’s proprietor, Dr. Godsent Erhumwunse, strongly condemned both the closure and the disruption of the PTA meeting, alleging political victimization.
“This is not about standards. I have all my documents, approvals, and tax renewals intact. The Commissioner has targeted me personally. Instead of helping low-cost schools where many pupils are on scholarships, the government is crushing us,” he said.
Dr. Erhumwunse, who also serves as the State Controller of the Association of Formidable Education Development (AFED), suggested the shutdown was linked to his outspoken criticism of the government’s education policies and what he described as “excessive taxation” of private schools.
On its part, the Ministry of Education maintains that the revocation followed due process. Gabriel Orire, Director of Planning and Statistics, confirmed that the school was shut down after a recent inspection led by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.
The ministry insisted that Authentic Royal Preparatory School failed to comply with requirements set by the state for private schools.
The development comes barely two weeks after members of the Coalition of Association of Private Schools (CAPS) staged a protest in Benin City, faulting the state government’s taxation policies and its directive for schools to transition from formal to skills-based education.
With accusations of victimisation on one side and allegations of non-compliance on the other, the standoff has now escalated into a public confrontation leaving parents and pupils uncertain about the future of their education.
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