New Telegraph

Dowen tragedy: We demand justice for our son –Ijaw Youth Council

  • Police begin investigation

 

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has joined other Nigerians to demand justice for the 12-year- old student of Dowen College, Lagos, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, who died from the injuries he sustained from being bullied in the school by other students.

 

The council said it is shocked by the gruesome development, just as it condemned the incident in strong terms. In a statement signed by the group’s National Spokesman, Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, the Ijaw Youth Council commiserated with the family and commended the general public for joining voices to demand justice for the student.

 

The statement read, “We have read to our chagrin that the late Oromoni was indeed the latest victim of bully and harrowing assaults by fellow students. “The supposed injuries from the beatings led to his death, according to a Twitter user with the handle @ perrisonoromoni, the boy’s  cousin.

 

“To our utter consternation, the school denied all allegations stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.

 

“However, contrary to the school’s statement, the victim’s cousin rolled out photos and video evidence, which tended to corroborate the fact that the child was bullied and beaten which had led to this avoidable untimely death. ” Late Sylvester Oromoni Jnr was a son of Ijaw land from Ogbeh-Ijoh area of Warri South-West Local Government of Delta State.

 

The circumstances that led to his death are indeed irksome to all Nigerians of good conscience who have displayed tremendous solidarity in the condemnation  of evil.

“The Justice we demand is the holistic type that will bring to book the killers of this boy and members of the school management, who instead of speaking the truth soiled their souls by trying desperately to cover up the evil deeds.

 

“While we thank and commend the Lagos State Government for its speedy initiative towards shutting down the Dowen College, the Ijaw Youths worldwide wants to call on the Lagos Commissioner of Police to launch a detailed and meticulous investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.

 

“We also call for the arrest  of the Principal of the school, students mentioned and staff involved in the alleged attempt to change the narrative that led to the death. They have shown evidence of a deliberate attempt to conceal murder.

 

The fake story about the hip injury from a game of football shows in clear language that they are complicit in the crime.” Meanwhile, the State Police Command has launched investigations into the alleged death, even as it said it was aware of the incident.

 

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu in a statement yesterday said no formal report of the incident was made to the police.

 

Ajisebutu, however said, the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu, upon hearing about the incident, instantly directed the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred to immediately visit the school to carry out initial investigation into the incident.

He said this directive has been carried out as investigation into the case has since commenced. However, in view of the seriousness of the case, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, has also been directed to take over the investigation of the case immediately.

 

Odumosu said members of the public, particularly the deceased’s bereaved parents, friends and relatives, are assured that the Lagos State Police Command has deployed all available human and material resources at its disposal to unravel the circumstances surrounding the sad and unfortunate incident.

The police boss promised a diligent investigation is ongoing, while members of the public are advised against taking the law into their hands.

 

They are also enjoined to refrain from comments that could jeopardize investigation. Odumosu, while commiserating with the bereaved family, has equally assured that the outcome of police investigation would be made public in due course.

Read Previous

Bet9ja SWAN Cup 2021: VON begins title defence against Pooja Media

Read Next

D’lyte: Female musicians must be like men to remain relevant

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *