Drama unfolded at Authentic Royal Preparatory School in Benin City on Saturday after security operatives and a government task force stormed the premises to disperse an emergency Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting.

The development came less than 24 hours after the Edo State Government revoked the school’s operational license, sparking outrage among parents and education stakeholders.

Why the School Was Shut Down

On Friday, the Ministry of Education announced the revocation of the school’s license, citing inadequate infrastructure that allegedly hindered effective teaching and learning.

But on Saturday, parents gathered for an emergency meeting to deliberate on their children’s future and possible steps forward.

That meeting, however, was cut short when a task force stormed the venue in what eyewitnesses described as a “commando-style” operation.

Parents React to Heavy-Handed Tactics

One parent, Mrs. Igiehon, told reporters the officials arrived unexpectedly and ordered everyone into their vehicles.

“They harassed us and claimed we were under arrest. Some parents were so frightened they thought the task force members were armed robbers,” she said.

The task force reportedly forced parents out of the school, effectively sealing off the premises.

Proprietor Speaks Out

The school’s proprietor, Dr. Godsent Erhumwunse, who also serves as State Controller of the Association of Formidable Education Development (AFED), condemned the closure, accusing the Education Ministry of acting on personal vendettas rather than genuine concerns.

“This is not about standards—it’s about power. My documents are in order. The Commissioner is targeting me,” he claimed.

Erhumwunse further lamented that the school, which caters to many scholarship students, was being unfairly punished.

“This is a low-cost school supporting underserved children. Instead of helping us, the government is trying to crush us,” he added.

Government Defends Closure

Reacting to the backlash, Gabriel Orire, Director of Planning and Statistics in the Ministry of Education, insisted the closure followed an official inspection led by Commissioner Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

According to him, the school was found non-compliant with key operational standards, making enforcement unavoidable.

A Brewing Crisis Between Government and Private Schools

This controversy comes amid growing tensions between private school owners and the Edo State Government. Just weeks earlier, on September 16, members of the Coalition of Association of Private Schools (CAPS) — including AFED — staged a protest over what they described as excessive taxation and unilateral reforms.

Private school operators have also criticized the state’s directive to shift focus from formal education to a skills-based model, arguing that such changes require wider consultation with stakeholders.

What Next?

As the standoff intensifies, education advocates are calling for dialogue, fairness, and transparency, warning that students’ futures are at risk if the government and private school owners fail to reach common ground.

For now, parents of Authentic Royal Preparatory School remain uncertain about the academic future of their children.