Tension has gripped Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, after 12-year-old JSS 2 student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin died following alleged bullying by a senior student over his refusal to share provisions.
Vanguard gathered that the incident, which began before the Easter break, led to the deceased being hospitalised on Easter Sunday for a neck sprain sustained during the alleged torture.
Narrating the incident in Uyo, yesterday, a student who lived in the same hostel with the deceased, said the senior student approached him for provisions during terminal examinations, but the deceased refused, insisting he didn’t have enough to share.
“A fellow student (a senior student 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. When the holiday came, the parents picked him up without being informed of any incident involving their son. (Perhaps the school did not think the injury was that serious.”
The student, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said the senior descended on the deceased hitting his neck until he fainted three times before other students raised the alarm for his rescue.
He continued: “At home, the boy developed severe pains on his neck and was shouting my neck, my neck. The parents bought pain relief drugs unknown to them that the incident was more than ordinary pains.
“When the pains was more severe, the father rushed the deceased to hospital where he died on Easter Sunday
“Earlier at home, the parents said the boy started complaining of throat pain on Wednesday, and they got medication for him.
“On Saturday night, the father called some of his friends (one of whom shared this story), asking them to pray for his son, who had been taken to the hospital.
“By Sunday morning, the boy passed on. The hospital later confirmed that he died from complications associated with blood clots around his throat (neck area).”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, promised to confirm the incident but had yet to respond at press time.
However, the principal of the school, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, who confirmed the incident described it as unfortunate.
He said: “It’s an unfortunate incident, the entire school is in a mourning mood. He is our child, he is a Nigerian child. So, we are deeply touched by his demise. The school management committee will meet to discuss the matter and the circumstances of his death will be communicated.”
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased student have called on the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances leading to death of their son.
The father of the deceased who spoke to our correspondent said: “I cannot talk now. I am calling on the Federal Government to intervene for justice. I will talk at the appropriate time.”
(Vangaurd)
