The Lagos State Police Command said on Saturday that an investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a student at Dowen College in Lekki, is currently underway.
According to CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu of the Lagos Police Command, although no formal report had been made to it, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered an investigation into the death.
“The Lagos State Police Command is aware of the reported death of one Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student at Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos, which is currently trending on social media.”
When the Commissioner of Police learned about it, he immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division, under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, to visit the school and conduct an initial investigation.
As the investigation into the case has since begun, this directive has been carried out.
“However, given the gravity of the situation, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, has also been directed to take over the investigation immediately,” he said.
In the statement, Ajisebutu also stated that members of the public should avoid taking the law into their own hands because the command has assured the bereaved family of justice.
“Members of the public, particularly the deceased’s bereaved parents, friends, and relatives, can be assured that the Lagos State Police Command has used all available human and material resources to investigate the tragic and unfortunate incident.”
While a thorough investigation is underway, members of the public are advised not to take the law into their own hands. They are also asked not to make any comments that could jeopardize the investigation.
“While commiserating with the bereaved family, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has also assured that the outcome of the police investigation will be made public in due course,” he said.
According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), Oromoni was reported dead on Wednesday, December 1 by a Twitter user, @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the deceased’s cousin.
According to @perrisonoromoni, the deceased was bullied and beaten by his classmates, which resulted in his death.
Dowen College, on the other hand, denied all allegations in a statement, claiming that Oromoni only complained of body pains from football.
Dowen College also instructed students to take Friday, December 3 off and return on Monday, December 6 in order to allow students to study for exams.
Following that, @perrisonoromoni shared photos and video evidence of the deceased’s bruises.
The Lagos State Ministry of Education, on the other hand, announced the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki, on Friday, Dec. 3, pending the outcome of the investigation into the boy’s death.