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The death of 11-year-old Ufokobong Godwin, a student of Federal Government College Ikot Ekpene, has stirred concern in Akwa Ibom State as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding his demise.
As reported by Premium Times, reports on social media claim the boy was allegedly assaulted by a senior student after refusing to hand over his provisions, leading to him being rushed to a medical facility.
Some online accounts allege that the school treated him without notifying his parents before allowing him to return home.
According to these accounts, the boy first complained of neck pain on 1 April and received treatment at the school clinic.
He reportedly died in the early hours of 5 April from complications linked to blood clots around his throat.
The school, however, has provided a differing narrative.
The Vice Principal (Administration), Hassan Adamu, declined to comment when approached, stating he was not authorised to speak.
School Principal, Ezeogu Jude confirmed the matter is under investigation.
“He went to the college clinic, was checked and returned to the hostel. He continued his examination and went about his normal activities,” Jude said.
“The information I got was that he was hit by a senior student, but he recovered and went back home. An official statement will follow after our meeting with the School-Based Management Committee on 9 April.”
Some teachers, speaking anonymously, said the incident at the school clinic occurred on 14 March, when the boy reportedly complained of being hit in the stomach by another student.
He was examined, found stable, and completed his school exams. They noted that all students, including the deceased, left the school on 17 March with no reported complications.
The boy’s family has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified reports. Didi Francis, a family spokesperson, described much of the circulating information as “distorted” and emphasized that investigations are ongoing.
“Be assured of a detailed story behind the untimely demise of Ufokobong Edwin Godwin… This will help to avert a reoccurrence in future,” Francis said.
The family also called for comprehensive efforts to tackle bullying, insisting that justice would be pursued.
The incident in Akwa Ibom follows a recent case in Edo State, where a college student was expelled after a video showing senior students bullying a junior went viral.
The Edo State Government subsequently ordered the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.
Source: Premium Times
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