Atiku reacts to mysterious death of Sylvester Oromoni as Lagos closes Dowen College

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says a thorough investigation must be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.

Oromoni, who was a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, died this week in mysterious circumstances.

While the school management said the student sustained injuries while playing football, the victim’s family said their child was bullied and beaten by fellow students.

The teenager’s death has generated an uproar on social media, with many celebrities calling on the government to wade in and establish the facts of the case.

Weighing in, Atiku said all concerned must get to the bottom of the case.

“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,” Atiku tweeted on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government on Friday ordered the indefinite closure of the school.

Assistant Director, Public Affairs, of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Ganiu Lawal disclosed this in a statement.

“The Lagos State Government has ordered the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki, pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a student of the school.

“Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo announced the closure after a meeting with the School Management and Staff.

“The Commissioner called for calm, saying no effort will be spared in getting to the root of the incident,” the statement read.

A Twitter user with the handle @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the boy’s cousin, had brought the matter on Twitter, noting that the victim died as a result of injuries sustained from a severe beating by unnamed fellow students.

The Twitter user urged Nigerians not to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet.

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