Tension has gripped Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom State following the death of 12-year old student Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, who allegedly died from injuries sustained after a senior student attacked him for refusing to share his food provisions.
The incident, which began before the Easter break, resulted in the deceased being hospitalised on Easter Sunday due to a neck injury sustained during the alleged assault.
According to a student who lived in the same hostel as the deceased, an SS3 senior approached Godwin for his provisions during terminal examinations, but he declined, insisting he did not have enough to share. The senior student allegedly continued hitting Godwin’s neck until he fainted three times before other students raised the alarm.
According to Punch, the students rushed to inform the boarding master, who took Godwin to an undisclosed hospital. He regained consciousness and was later allowed to leave for the Easter vacation but the school allegedly did not inform his parents about the incident or the need for continued medication at home.
At home, the boy developed severe neck pain. His parents initially bought him pain relief drugs, unaware that the injury was more serious. When the pain worsened, his father rushed him to the hospital, where he died on Easter Sunday.
Medical reports cited by those close to the family indicated that the boy died from complications linked to blood clots around his throat and neck area.
The family has called for immediate Federal Government intervention and a thorough investigation to ensure justice. Ufokobong’s father told reporters: “I cannot talk now. I am calling on the Federal Government to intervene for justice. I will talk at the appropriate time.”
However, the family is urging caution on details already in public circulation. A family spokesperson, Didi Francis, cautioned against relying on unverified reports, saying much of the information circulating online was “distorted” and published without the family’s consent. She urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified details while investigations continue.
The school principal, Ezeogu Jude, confirmed the matter was under investigation, saying the school management committee would meet to discuss the circumstances of the boy’s death, which would then be communicated to the public.
