12-year-old Student Dies After Alleged Bullying In Akwa Ibom Unity School

Tension has gripped Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, following the death of a 12-year-old Junior Secondary School 2 student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, who allegedly suffered injuries after being bullied by a senior student.

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The incident reportedly began before the Easter break, when the deceased was allegedly assaulted by a Senior Secondary School 3 student over his refusal to share provisions.

According to Vanguard, the victim sustained a neck injury during the incident and was later hospitalised on Easter Sunday, where he eventually died.

A student who shared the same hostel with the deceased said the confrontation occurred during the terminal examinations period when the senior student demanded provisions from him.

According to the student, the younger boy refused the request, insisting he did not have enough to share.

“A senior student asked the boy for provisions, but he refused. The student reportedly hit him on the neck, after which he went into a coma,” the student said.

The source added that the victim later regained consciousness in the hospital and was returned to school before the holiday.

When the school closed for the break, the parents reportedly picked up their son without being informed about the alleged incident.

Another account indicated that the senior student repeatedly struck the deceased on the neck until he collapsed.

The source said the boy fainted multiple times before other students raised the alarm.

“The senior student descended on him, hitting his neck until he fainted three times before other students raised the alarm,” the student said.

After returning home for the holiday, the deceased reportedly began complaining of severe pain in his neck.

According to sources close to the family, the boy repeatedly cried out about pain in his neck while at home.

The parents initially treated him with pain relief medication, believing the condition was minor.

However, when the pain worsened, his father rushed him to the hospital.

“The boy kept shouting ‘my neck, my neck’. When the pain became severe, the father took him to the hospital where he died on Easter Sunday,” a family source said.

Medical personnel later confirmed that the boy died from complications associated with blood clots around the neck area.

The principal of the school, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, confirmed the incident and described the death as unfortunate.

“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,” he said.

Ezeogu added that the school management committee would meet to review the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The school management committee will meet to discuss the matter and the circumstances of his death will be communicated,” he stated.

When contacted, the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, said she would verify the incident but had not issued further details as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased student has called on the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.

The father of the deceased, who spoke briefly, urged authorities to ensure justice is served.

“I cannot talk now. I am calling on the Federal Government to intervene for justice. I will talk at the appropriate time,” he said.