Nigerian Navy Detains 12-Year-Old Pupil Over Comments Made By Mum On PTA WhatsApp Group

The Nigerian Navy has reportedly detained a 12-year-old pupil of the Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, over comments made by her mother on a parents–teachers association (PTA) WhatsApp platform, SaharaReporters has learnt.

The student, identified as Aamanee Adebiyi-King, an SS1 science pupil, was allegedly held in the school’s Naval Police office on Tuesday morning after her mother engaged in a disagreement with a naval officer on the school’s PTA WhatsApp group.

According to the girl’s father, the controversy began after his wife questioned aspects of the proposed PTA constitution, describing it as “putting parents into slavery.”

She also queried why the school was compelling students to take 13 subjects when the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) permits a maximum of nine.

Her remarks reportedly angered one of the group administrators, who subsequently removed her from the platform.

Moments after her removal, another member who identified himself as a Sub-Lieutenant of the Nigerian Navy allegedly sent a private message to her, verbally attacking her over her comments.

The woman, an Assistant Superintendent in the Federal Fire Service, responded “measure for measure,” according to her husband.

The disagreement escalated when the officer later summoned her to appear before a panel at the school on Tuesday morning — a directive she ignored.

“My daughter, Aamanee Adebiyi-King, is a student of the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Kuje. She is in SS1 Science class, and she is 12 years old.

“Yesterday, on the PTA WhatsApp platform, my wife expressed her opinion regarding the proposed PTA constitution, stating that what was proposed was more or less putting parents into slavery.

“She also raised concerns about why they are forcing my child to take 13 subjects when she cannot take more than 9 subjects in her WAEC examination.

“My wife was removed from the group by an admin, and she didn’t even contest her removal. Next, someone came to her DM, introduced himself as a Naval Sub-Lieutenant, and started insulting her. She responded to him measure for measure in the private chat.

“After that, the man summoned my wife to appear in the school this morning to face a panel. My wife is a gallant officer of the Federal Fire Service and an Assistant Superintendent. She ignored the message.”

By 9 a.m. on Tuesday, the family received another message from someone claiming to be SLt B.T. Auwalu, the Regulating Officer of the school, informing them that their 12-year-old daughter had been taken into custody and placed in the Naval Police office pending their arrival.

“This morning, while I was on my way to Keffi for a meeting, she forwarded this message to me:

‘I am SLt B.T. Auwalu, the Regulating Officer, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Kuje. I am directed to inform you to report to the School’s Naval Police Office this morning by 09:00 a.m. You are to see the Commandant this morning, and she is waiting for you immediately. Be informed that your child is in the Police Office in our school and expecting you. Please acknowledge.’

“Be informed that your child is in the police office in our school and expecting you,” the message read.

The father said he was already en route to Keffi for a meeting when he received the message and was shocked to learn that his daughter — who had committed no offence — was being used as leverage to compel her mother to appear before the school authorities.

“My daughter is being detained right now for committing no offence,” he wrote.

“That’s my 12-year-old daughter, held in naval police custody for committing no crime.” (SaharaReporters)