Tension gripped the Idi-Ikan area on Tuesday as parents, teachers, and concerned residents staged a protest at the Baptist Church, Idi-Ikan, Ibadan following the demolition of Baptist Basic School 1 by the church authorities. The demonstrators accused the church leadership of acting unilaterally without adequate consultation or consideration for the welfare of pupils and staff affected by the action.
Eyewitnesses said the protesters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, gathered within and around the church premises, demanding explanations for the sudden demolition of the school buildings. Many expressed shock and anger that an institution meant to promote education and moral values could allegedly displace young learners without clear alternative arrangements.
Parents of affected pupils lamented that the demolition has disrupted academic activities and placed an additional burden on families, especially amid the current economic hardship. Some alleged that their children were sent home abruptly, with no formal communication on relocation plans or timelines for resumption of classes.
Teachers and community leaders who joined the protest called on the Baptist Mission and relevant education authorities to urgently intervene. They stressed that Baptist Basic School 1 has served the Idi-Ikan community for decades, providing affordable education to children from low-income households, and warned that the loss of the school could worsen the number of out-of-school children in the area.
In response, representatives of the church authorities reportedly appealed for calm, stating that the demolition was part of a broader redevelopment plan. They assured stakeholders that discussions were ongoing and that provisions would be made to ensure pupils continue their education, though no specific timeline or alternative facility was immediately announced.
