A 12-year-old Junior Secondary 2 (JS1) student of the Federal Government College in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, who was allegedly bullied by a senior student for refusing to share his provisions has been reported dead.
Penpushing reports that the incident was said to have occurred before the Easter break, resulted in the deceased being hospitalised on Easter Sunday due to a neck injury sustained during the alleged assault.
The incident narrated on Wednesday, by the deceased colleague who lived in the same hostel with him said the senior student approached Godwin for his provisions during the terminal examinations, but he declined, insisting he did not have enough to share.
Penpushing further reports that the hostel mate who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident, stated that following refusal of Godwin to part with his provision, the senior student reportedly hit him on the neck, after which he went into a coma
“A fellow student, a senior in SS3, asked the boy for provisions, but he refused. The student reportedly hit him on the neck, after which he went into a coma. He later regained consciousness in the hospital and was taken back to school’, the student said.
‘When the holiday came, the parents picked him up without being informed of any incident involving their son—perhaps because the school did not think the injury was serious’, the colleague added
Penpushing also reports that the source stated that the senior student continued hitting Godwin’s neck until he fainted three times before other students raised the alarm.
“The students rushed to inform the boarding master, who took the deceased to an undisclosed hospital before he regained consciousness and left for the Easter vacation,” the student said.
Penpushing reports that he added that the school allegedly did not inform the parents about the incident or the need for continued medication at home during the Easter break.
“At home, the boy developed severe neck pain, shouting, ‘My neck! My neck!’ His parents initially bought him pain relief drugs, unaware that the injury was more serious,” the source said.
“When the pain worsened, the father rushed him to the hospital, where he died on Easter Sunday. Back home, the parents said the boy had started complaining of throat pain on Wednesday, and they had obtained medication for him’.
“On Saturday night, the father called some friends, asking them to pray for his son, who had been taken to the hospital. By Sunday morning, around 1:00 a.m., the boy passed away. The hospital later confirmed that he died from complications associated with blood clots around his throat (neck area),” the student added.
Penpushing further reports that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command Public Relations Officer Timfon John, when contacted said she had not been informed about the incident but would find out.
The principal of the school, Jude Ezeogu, however, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate, stating that the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death would be communicated to the public after the school management committee meeting.
“It’s an unfortunate incident. The entire school is in mourning. He is our child; he is a Nigerian child, so we are deeply touched by his demise. The school management committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the matter, and the circumstances of his death will be communicated,” Ezeogu said.
Penpushing also reports that as at the time of filing this report the family of the deceased has called on the Nigerian Government to investigate the circumstances leading to their son’s death.
“Though I am saddened by the incident, the government should intervene immediately for justice to prevail. I cannot talk now. I am calling on the Federal Government to intervene for justice. I will speak at the appropriate time’, the bereaved father said
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