Some residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have staged protests against the demolition of Baptist Primary School in the Idi-Ikan area of the city.
DAILY POST gathered that the primary school is located in Ward 5 of Ibadan North-West Local Government Area.
The school is one of the oldest primary schools in Ibadan and has served communities within the local government area since its establishment.
It was, however, learnt that the building housing the school has been demolished and converted for another purpose.
DAILY POST reports that scores of parents and residents on Tuesday and Wednesday staged protests to express their grievances.
The protesters described the development as another attempt to deny children from poor backgrounds access to education.
One of the protesters, Mr Ibrahim Agunbiade, who spoke with DAILY POST on Wednesday, described the demolition as an assault on education, justice and communal coexistence.
Agunbiade also called for the immediate reconstruction of new classrooms to accommodate the school.
He said, “This act represents not merely the destruction of a building, but the deliberate disruption of the lives and future of innocent children.
“Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, is a historic public primary school that has served the Idikan community for decades. The demolition, therefore, strikes at the heart of a vulnerable population and raises legitimate fears of systemic bias and marginalisation.
“The destruction of a school is the destruction of opportunity. It is an act that impoverishes society and endangers the future. The people of Idikan and indeed all who believe in justice deserve answers, redress, and firm guarantees that such an abuse will never be repeated.”
