#Justice4sylvester: As we join in the demand for justice for a 12 year old bright student whose life was snatched away just few days to his birthday by school bullies, we report this heartbreaking story; just because, injustice anywhere is definitely a threat to justice everywhere.
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Sylvester Oromoni jnr, a junior high school student at Dowen College, a highend secondary school in lagos Nigeria; was pronounced dead days after he was rushed to the hospital from the boarding school where he was a student; after his school officially claimed he had been injured during football practice. However, his cousin, who also attended Dowen, later confessed that senior students had beat him mercilessly after he refused to join their secret cult.
Prior to this incident, Sylvester Oromoni suffered intense bullying at the hands of the seniors who not only assaulted him physically but constantly robbed him of his funds and grocery supplies. His father, Sylvester Senior, told the papers he was also bullied and asked describe what his sister’s v*gina looked like, and was beaten when he refused at first. The matter was reported to the principal who merely suspended the attackers, but after their return they burst into his dormitory, asked sylvester’s room mates to leave the room, then they switched off the light, beat him with belts as he fell off his bunk bed, and all stood on his back and hips, kicked him on the head and forced a chemical substance into his mouth. Other onlooking students in the dorm were warned not to snitch on them or face their wrath.
The school nurse alerted Oromoni’s parents who arrived from their home state, Warri in Delta state Nigeria, and rushed him to hospital. At this point, sylvester suffered excruciating pains and their son had difficulty speaking due to the substance he had been forced to drink (Presumably acid or another corrosive chemical due to the wounds on his mouth), but he was able to name those who tortured him before he passed away. Reports allegedly state some of the bullies have fled the country to avoid facing justice.
“I don’t want to die,”
In an interview with the media houses, Sylvester Oromoni Senior, the father of the Deceased said his son had screamed; “I don’t want to die,” before giving up the ghost.
He said even after death, his son was still shedding tears.
Oromoni said the only time the Principal of the school called the family, while the boy was dying and even after his death, it was to ask them why they posted a video of a the child in agony online.
“I told the woman, I read your statement that my boy died as a result of a football injury, if football can injure someone’s mouth, and make one to be in so much pain, I think the government should look at the situation the boy passed through. When he was about to give up, he cried and said, ‘I don’t want to die!’ Even after he died and cotton wool was already in his nose, tears were still coming out of his eyes,” the grieving father said.
The school in its reaction to the incident claimed that the deceased sustained injuries while playing football; and was given immediate medical attention by its resident nurse.
Subsequently, the student complained of having pains in his hip and was attended to again by a doctor and nurse; and thereafter taken to his house, the school said.
#Justice4Sylvester
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This story is devastating and heart breaking and has caused protests with hashtag #Justice4Sylvester. The death of the 12-year-old has generated public outrage globally, with many Nigerians demanding justice for the young boy.
Others have also called on parents to withdraw their children from the school following the incident.
The victim’s cousin released photos and video evidence, showing Sylvester was beaten, leading to his death.
A video shared by the family of the boy before his death showed him in pain.
The deceased was also said to have been forced to drink an unknown substance by the bullies.
On Saturday, despite the boy’s death, his parents and other family members marked his birthday.
According to them, it was the best way to honour him and keep his memory alive.
This is an ongoing developing story, we will keep you all updated as the unfortunate situation unravels.