The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the death of the Dowen College, Lekki student, Sylvester Oromoni.
This follows the controversy that has trailed the death of the student, who was alleged to have died of injuries sustained from the beatings of members of a cult group in the school.
This disclosure is contained in a statement by the Lagos Police Command issued by its spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, in which he said that although no formal report had been made to it, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered the investigation of the death.
What the Lagos Police Command Spokesperson is saying
CSP Ajisebutu in the statement said, “The Lagos State Police Command is not unaware of the reported death of one Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, which is currently going viral on the social media.
“The Commissioner of Police, upon hearing about it, instantly directed the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division, under whose jurisdiction the place of incident is, to immediately visit the school to carry out initial investigation into the incident.
“This directive has been carried out as investigation into the case has since commenced.
“However, in view of the seriousness of the case, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, has also been directed to take over investigation of the case immediately.’’
According to NAN, Ajisebutu, in the statement, also advised members of the public to avoid taking laws into their hands as the command has assured the bereaved family of justice.
He said, “Members of the public, particularly the deceased’s bereaved parents, friends and relatives, are assured that the Lagos State Police Command has deployed all available human and material resources at its disposal to unravel the circumstances surrounding the sad and unfortunate incident.
“While diligent investigation is ongoing, members of the public are advised against taking the law into their own hands. They are also enjoined to refrain from comments that could jeopardize investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, while commiserating with the bereaved family, has equally assured that the outcome of police investigation would be made public in due course.’’
What you should know
- Recall that Oromoni was reported to have died on Wednesday, December 1, after he was assaulted by some cult group members, who he had mentioned their names before his death, according to a Twitter user who claimed to be the deceased’s cousin.
- The Lagos State Government, on Friday, ordered the indefinite shutdown of Dowen College, pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of the student, Master Sylvester Oromoni (Jnr).
- A report from Channels Televison said that the relative had claimed that Oromoni, who was bullied and beaten by fellow students, died from injuries sustained from the beating.
- However, Dowen College, in a press statement that went viral on Wednesday, denied all allegations stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.
- The child’s father, who bears the same name as the student, stated that contrary to what Dowen College had said in the statement, the family friend who they sent to pick up Oromoni Jnr. from the school described a totally different situation.