The management of Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos has said it will cooperate with the police in their investigation of the death of one its pupils, Syvester Oromoni Jnr.
The death of the 12-year-old has generated widespread criticism on social media, with many demanding justice for the boy.
Oromoni died a few days ago after he was allegedly attacked by “some senior colleagues” for refusing to join a cult group.
The school had dismissed the claim, saying he sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.
The police said on Saturday they had begun probe of the incident even though they had not received a formal complaint from the parents of the deceased.
Dowen college management said in a statement that it was saddened by the death of Oromoni Jnr.
The state government has sealed the school.
The statement by the college reads:“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of one of our beloved students, Sylvester Oromoni Jr. He was dearly loved by his teachers, his fellow students and he was a beacon of light for the school.
“The tragic and unfortunate incident which transpired this past November and Sylvester’s untimely death requires a thorough and proper investigation. Dowen College is fully committed to this.
“We are assisting the authorities to get to the bottom of this heartbreaking incident.
“The first steps taken by the school, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, have been the immediate closure of the school to aid the investigation. Understandably, at this time of intense grief and suffering, emotions are raw and tensions high.
Lead pastor of The Transforming Church (TTC) Rev. Sam Oye condemned the manner in which Oromoni died.
“How could playing football lead to such a painful and tragic end, how many footballers ever died like that? Where are the children alleged to have inflicted this pain on Sylvester?” he asked in a sermon yesterday in Abuja.
The family of Adewale Michael Kashamu, alleged to have been involved in bullying or beating Oromoni, has urged everyone to wait for the report of an investigation into the incident.
The Kashamu family said they “empathised and commiserated with the family of the late Sylvester Oromoni over the irreplaceable loss, but added, among other things, that Adewale Michael Kashamu acted as a school father for the late Sylvester in his first session in the school.
“In the 2021 session commencing in September 2021 Adewale Michael Kashamu was moved to a different floor in the boarding house and engrossed in his own studies and activities; he was no longer as close to Sylvester as in the previous session.”
The Kashamu family, in a statement signed by Mr. Mutairu Kashamu, said their son “is a compassionate and considerate boy”.
Oromoni Sylvester Snr, father of the deceased, explained why the family marked his posthumous birthday on Saturday.
“He died five days to his birthday. This celebration is because I told him I was going to do his birthday and because he said ‘Daddy do my birthday’.
“I want to use it to remember him. I think I will be doing it every year. He was my best friend, not just my child,” he told The Nation.
“I am calling for justice for my son. Justice must prevail. I am happy that millions of Nigerians are supporting the same thing. And I pray that God should guide everybody that is supporting this cause.
“I also thank the governor of my state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for his statement and contributions. He has given me words of encouragement. The governor of Lagos State, the commissioner for Education, they are doing their best and I’m happy with what they are doing.”
Sylvester Snr, with the assistance of his wife and two daughters, cut one of the cakes, after they all sang a birthday song.