NGO, Atiku, celebrities seek justice for 12-year-old student of Dowen College

An Ilorin-based non-governmental organization has called on Lagos state commissioner of Police to investigate the recent developments sorrounding the death of a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lagos state, Sylvester Oromoni Jr

The organization, Torchbearers Impact Network (TIN), with focus on mentorship and career, made the call in a statement signed by the executive director of the group, Ibraheem Abdullateef on Friday.

The organisation also called on Lagos state government to take active interest in the matter, “just the way Kwara state government handled the Madrassah flogging incident in Ganmo area of the state capital, recently”.

According to a statement, there is growing trends in some secondary schools in the country where young people allegedly meet their tragic end without detailed inquest by relevant authorities.

The group said that the narrative that the boy died from an injury sustained while playing football should also be looked into to ascertain all facts in the matter.

“This must be deeply investigated to right whatever wrongs, and ensure that the culprits are prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Oromoni Jr. reportedly mentioned some names before he died, according to the cousin, Perrison Oromoni, which was reported in the media.

“Dowen College and the parents should cooperate with the police in their investigations.

“The comment allegedly made by the late Oromoni Jr. about some alleged bullying, even mentioning some names believed to be his school mates in the said incidents leading to his death should be properly investigated if for nothing else, but to have some useful lessons for both schools, teachers, parents and other stakeholders in the educational system in Nigeria.

“We want the commissioner of police to commence immediate investigations into the death and report to the public promptly,” Abdullateef said.

Also, Abubakar Atiku, former Vice President, took to his social media platforms to react on the child’s death, which had sparked a lot of agitations from Nigerians.

He said, “We shall be failing in our duties as parents/ guardians, administrators, security agencies and government if we do not get to the bottom of the case of late Sylvester Oromoni.

It is beholden upon us to enthrone a safe environment in our schools. #JusticeforSylvester.”

Reports had emerged that Oromoni was bullied and beaten by fellow students.

The supposed injuries from the beating led to his death, according to a Twitter user with the handle @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the boy’s cousin.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the school denied all allegations stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.

Contrary to the school’s statement, the victim’s cousin rolled out photos and video evidence, which corroborated the fact that the child was bullied and beaten; an action that led to his death.

Celebrities and Nigerians on social media has demanded justice for the late Sylvester and has rolled out the hashtag #justiceforsylvester to voice out their agitations.

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