Witnesses said the incident began in an SS3 classroom, where a newly transferred English teacher reportedly confronted students who were disrupting teaching with an MP3 player. The situation escalated when the teacher decided to “discipline” two of the students, sparking outrage among some youths in the community who claimed the punishment was excessive.

Sources in the school said the teacher was first confronted and assaulted within the premises. Word of the confrontation quickly spread beyond the school fence, drawing in youths who allegedly forced their way onto the compound. What followed was described as a chaotic scene, with teachers and non-academic staff chased from offices and classrooms as the invaders vented their anger.

Staff members were said to have fled into nearby bushes to escape the violence, abandoning lesson notes, personal belongings and school property. Roads leading out of the school were reportedly blocked, heightening fears among those trapped inside and parents rushing to check on their children.

Several teachers and workers were reported injured, though the exact number remained unclear as some staff were still unaccounted for hours after the attack. Students were left terrified, with many running out of classrooms and scattering in different directions as the unrest spread.

The incident gained wider attention after a Facebook user, David C Oguzie, posted images and a video of a female student he identified as his younger sister, alleging she had been brutalised by the English teacher. In his post, he accused the teacher of punishing the wrong person while allowing those who played the music to go free, and called on authorities to intervene, warning that her condition was serious.

Community members and education stakeholders have since expressed concern over the breakdown of discipline and security in schools, warning that attacks on teachers could discourage professionals from accepting postings to rural areas. They urged the Rivers State government and security agencies to investigate the incident, ensure the safety of staff and students, and address both alleged teacher misconduct and mob retaliation to prevent a repeat of such violence.