5th December, 2021
By Mateen Badru/Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command on Saturday said investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12 year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, is ongoing.
CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said that although no formal report had been made to the command, the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the investigation of the death.
“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.” he said.
Ajisebutu, in the statement, further said that members of the public should avoid taking laws into their hands as the command has assured the bereaved family of justice.
“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,” he said.
Oromoni died on Tuesday 30 November. His death was reported on Twitter by his cousin @perrisonoromoni.
According to @perrisonoromoni, the deceased was bullied and beaten by fellow students which led to his death.
However, Dowen College, in a statement, denied all allegations, stating that Oromoni only complained of body pains from playing football.
While Dowen College shut the school for 2 days, the Lagos State Ministry of Education ordered the school shut indefinitely, pending the outcome of investigation into the Oromoni’s death.