- Condemn inhumane treatment in Nigerian Boarding Schools
The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, to take over the investigation, prosecution and punishment of those identified in the alleged murder of Sylvester Oromoni.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance on the “call to condemn the trend of inhumane treatment in Nigerian boarding schools across the country and comprehensive investigation into the activities of Nigerian boarding school system”, sponsored by Hon. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa Ibom) who solicited for the House intervention.
While stressing the need to ensure that the five boys whose names were mentioned by the deceased should be placed on the no-fly list, Hon. Idem urged that social workers should be sent to all the boarding schools with a view to forestall future occurrence.
Hon. Idem observed that the social media had been agog in the past few days following the report of the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old boy who died on the 27th November 2021.
He said that Oromoni passed away as a result of multiple internal injuries sustained while he was allegedly beaten by fellow students for refusing to join a cult group in Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos State.
“The House notes also that another incidence leading to the death of Karen-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher of Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, on the 22nd day of June 2021 is one that left many heartbroken.
“Her parents narrated by how their daughter was sexually assaulted and later died of complications as a result of a condom left in her private part.
“Six months later, there is no news of a suspect being arrested,” he noted.
Hon. Idem said that following the reports, some aggrieved Nigerians have continued to voice out their bitter experiences in boarding schools as a public analysis described bullying as a major pandemic in boarding schools.
The lawmaker who condemned the recent inhuman treatment and abuses happening in boarding schools tasked the Federal Ministry of Education to set out guidelines for the operations of boarding schools across the country.
While ruling, the deputy speaker who presided over the plenary, Hon. Idris Wase, mandated the joint committees on education, youth development, women affairs and social development to follow up the investigation and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
