… as police investigate the incident
The Lagos State Government has shut down all Chrisland Schools in the state over the alleged molestation of a 10-year-old female pupil of the school.
The student was allegedly raped during a Dubai trip organised by the school, as captured in a video, an incident that has continued to generate outrage.
The girl’s mother had also alleged that the school attempted to cover up the incident.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development in a statement on Monday, the Lagos State government said the sexual abuse of the minor was being investigated.
The government in the statement shared by Jubril A. Gawat, @Mr_JAGs, media aide to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of the state, announced the closure of the schools pending the outcome of investigations.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland Schools which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“It is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the Commissioner of Police.
“In view of the allegations, we are committed to ensuring that adequate medical and psycho-social support is provided.
“This is to reassure members of the public of the State Government’s commitment to safety and child protection, especially in ensuring that all child-centred institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Program.
“We also use this medium to remind the general public that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, commits an offence and is liable to a custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years.
“This includes “producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography”.
“In the meantime, all Chrisland Schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has begun an investigation into the incident leading to the rape of the 10-year-old school by her schoolmates.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the command is vetting the viral video to establish the geographical location of the incident, the alleged threat to the life of the student, among others.
The statement read: “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to an alleged rape video purportedly depicting students of Chrisland School Lagos, going viral on social media.
“The Command has commenced investigations into the matter with a view to establishing the identities of the players in the video, the true incident in the video, the geographical location of the incident, the alleged threat to life against a student of the school and circumstances surrounding the alleged repeated pregnancy tests conducted on a student without parental consent.
“The Command is equally taking cognizance of the cybercrime angle to the whole episode and would not hesitate to enlist the support of the Interpol should the need arise. For a holistic and unbiased investigation, the Command shall be working with relevant ministries, departments, agencies and non-governmental organizations.”
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has assured that due diligence will be observed to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.