Nigerian social media platforms have been going agog since the report of a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lagos, who died from injuries he allegedly sustained from a beating by his fellow students.
According to a Twitter user, @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the cousin of the student identified as Sylvester Oromoni, “they tried to put him in cult, he refused and they killed him. Secondary school o”.
“He mentioned 5 names before passing yesterday broken heart”.
School reacts
Reacting, the school claimed “He was in class on Monday 22nd day of November 2021, but during school hours one of his friends accompanied him to the Sick Bay where he complained of some pain in his hip.
“The doctor examined him and prescribed Ibuprofen for the pain, while the nurse massaged his leg, after which he felt a bit better.
“In accordance with school policy, the resident doctor called his mother reporting the incident and requesting that she come for him so that he could get further medical attention.
“The mother however said she was not in Lagos, spoke and prayed with him on the phone and promised to send the guardian to pick him up immediately for further medical attention.
“When the guardian failed to show up, the next day on the 23rd of November 2021, the doctor called the mother again and this time, she assured that his guardian would pick him from school.
“His guardian showed up and took him for X-ray after which the guardian informed the school management that the results of the investigation revealed that no part of his body was broken or injured. The resident doctor also called the mother later in the week to check up on his progress but she informed the doctor that he was sleeping at the time,” the management said.
The management further explained that the Principal also spoke with the mother on the phone to enquire about his progress and “she reported that he was having a massage and gave the phone to him to speak with the Principal.
“As a result, it came as no small shock to us to read wild social media tales that he was beaten by some students and that he specifically mentioned some names. We immediately commenced investigations and invited the students allegedly mentioned for interview. His guardian was also present during the interviews, which revealed that nothing of such happened.
“The whole incident was strange and unbelievable because: The school has effective anti-bullying policies and consequences are well spelt out to all the students.
“The preliminary investigation showed that there was no fighting, bullying or any form of attack on the boy.
“He made no such reports, neither to his sister who is also a student or any other students, prefects, house parents, medical staff or any of the management staff,” the school management said.
Father responds
However, late Sylvester’s father, who spoke to The Cable, insisted his son was allegedly bullied, which led to his death.
According to him, “The boys (suspects) they mentioned were also reported to the school last term when they bullied Junior (Sylvester) and collected all his foodstuffs and clothes.
“I have two daughters; one of whom earlier graduated. I had to remove the second after this incident. They asked this boy to describe the sister’s privates and this got to us.
“They put fear in him so much so that, when you ask him, he might keep to himself and say, ‘they will kill me’.
“This way, we didn’t know what to do. I considered removing him; reconsidered since his sisters were still in the school.
“The new incident came to my knowledge on November 21 after the school called my wife to notify us that our son was in the school clinic, injured.
“My senior son, who was to make a London trip, came to see us in Warri.
“The next day, we sent a family friend to help pick up our son since he was the only person in Lagos and take him to the hospital.
“When he got there, he panicked, pointing out that he doubts it’s a football injury as the school claimed. He said the boy couldn’t stand because his waist was bent and swollen along with one side of his belly.
“His mouth was black. I asked, ‘is this really a football injury?’ He was taken to my house in Lagos but couldn’t sleep at night.
“I asked my eldest to fly to Lagos on November 24, while I took a trip to Asaba, from where I’d also make for Lagos.
“On getting there, he screamed. ‘This is beyond football injury. Come to Lagos now,’ he told me over the phone.”
Nigerian celebrities weigh in
Àgbà Akin @Kynsofficial: This useless country failed the 12 years old boy. What’s even more heartbreaking is the news making rounds that one of the murderers have been flown out. He must get justice! All the kids involved should be tried for murder, how do you allow a murderer fly! #Justiceforsylvester
AMB. KING TONTO @TONTOLET: Dear Dowen college I have been informed, I am coming. I am gathering facts about this story. Dont run, our kids can’t go to school to be learn and end up death. THAT’S NOT WHY WE TRUST SCHOOLS!!! #Justiceforsylvester
Fola Aina @folanski: Those responsible for the death of Sylvester and all accomplices in his murder MUST face the full wrath of the law. May the Lord grant his soul rest eternal rest and comfort his family at this most difficult moment. Amen. #Justiceforsylvester
Caramel CaramelGlowing star @caramel_sugarxx: No matter what he did or refused to do!! Sylvester did not deserve to suffer like that in HIGH SCHOOL!! Sombody has to pay! No it’s too much!!! A CHILD?? No! #Justiceforsylvester DAMN!
Mercy Eke @real_mercyeke: I’m still in shock after watching that awful video. No child has to ever go through that type of excruciating pain in the hands of anybody. The authorities of that school should get on their feet and bring those evil children to justice!!! #Justiceforsylvester
Moe @Mochievous: Under section 40(1) of the Evidence Act in Nigeria, a statement made by a person as to the cause of their death or as to any of the circumstances which resulted in their death is admissible as evidence of cause death – see all Okoko vs State #Justiceforsylvester
DeboMacaroni @mrmacaronii: I deeply sympathize with the family of Sylvester Oromoni. I Just saw the video that was recorded before he died. He couldn’t move, mouth swollen, teeth bleeding.. Football injuries don’t cause that much pain!!!
Dowen college, there are a lot of questions begging to be answered.
Adesua Etomi-Wellington @AdesuaEtomiW: Quick question. Is Dowen college still not going to give Sylvester’s family a real explanation about what happened to their son? Face with symbols over mouth
I don’t want to hear any football story. Do they really think this is going to go away? Somebody’s child. Broken heartBroken heartBroken heart #Justiceforsylvester
Tacha
