There is serious tension at Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, in Akwa Ibom State after a 12-year-old JSS2 student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, reportedly died following an alleged bullying incident involving a senior student.
According to reports, the incident started before the Easter break after the boy allegedly refused to share his provisions with an SS3 student during terminal exams. What should have been an ordinary disagreement is said to have turned violent, with the younger student allegedly attacked and injured in the hostel.
A student who claimed to have witnessed part of what happened said the senior student hit Ufokobong on the neck after he refused to hand over his provisions. The source alleged that the boy fainted multiple times before other students stepped in and raised the alarm.
He was reportedly taken to the hospital and later returned to school. However, when the holiday came, his parents allegedly picked him up without being fully informed about the seriousness of what had happened to him.
At home, things reportedly got worse.
The boy later began complaining of severe pain around his neck and throat. At first, his family thought it was something minor and gave him pain relief drugs. But as the pain intensified, his father rushed him to the hospital.
Sadly, he died on Easter Sunday.
A source close to the family said the hospital later confirmed that the boy died from complications linked to blood clots around his neck area. The tragic development has left many people in shock, especially as the family allegedly had no idea the injury was that serious from the beginning.
When contacted, the principal of the school, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, confirmed the incident and described it as deeply painful.
According to him, the entire school is in mourning.
He said the school management would meet to review the situation and that the circumstances surrounding the student’s death would be communicated after proper deliberation.
The father of the deceased, who was too emotional to speak in detail, called on the Federal Government to step in and ensure justice is done.
For now, the family is mourning, the school is under pressure, and many Nigerians are asking the same question: how did a child go to school and never make it back alive?
If these allegations are confirmed, then this is not just a sad story. It is a painful reminder that bullying in Nigerian schools is still being treated too lightly until tragedy happens.