Ijaw women group seeks justice for slain Dowen College student Sylvester Oromoni Jnr
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) on Monday bemoaned the gruesome killing of 12 years old student at Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos State, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.
The IWC stance is contained in a statement, which was jointly signed by her National President Mrs Rosemary John-Oduone; National Spokesperson, Mrs Izuogere Grace Iwolo, and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.
The group condemned the killing of the student and urged security agencies to wade into the issue and promptly bring the perpetrators to book.
“We condemn in totality and strong terms the gruesome killing of late Sylvester Oromoni Jr, the Dowen College Lekki student who died as a result of internal injuries sustained after being bullied, battered mercilessly and given an unknown substance to drink by five senior students at the college.
“We, as Ijaw mothers whose sister and brother have lost a very promising and bright child, will not be silent to watch Sylvester Oromoni Jnr die without those responsible for his early passage go scot-free. NEVER!
“It is depressing as it saddens our hearts to see another future leader of our dear nation kill for his refusal to join a cult group in the school.
“We sincerely thank the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his proactive and responsive action in reacting to the call of the masses and subsequent closure of the school to further investigate the murder.
“We wish to thank Nigerians for thronging out in their numbers to support the Oromoni’s family and call for justice for little Oromoni Jnr.
“As a nation, we are stronger together.
“We appreciate the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state for his swift response.
“We are pleading that the matter be investigated, perpetrators apprehended, punished to serve as a deterrence against future occurrences,” IWC stated.
The group also demanded that Dowen College be held accountable for failing to protect the life of a child in their custody.
IWC also noted that unguarded press statements aimed at diverting public attention to cover up a crime as heavy as this that has claimed the life of an innocent child was condemnable.
The group added that Ijaw mothers will join hands with mothers all over Nigeria to march the streets of Lagos and in the Nation’s Capital Abuja to seek answers over the killing and to ensure that justice is served.
The group noted that the public was aware of the alleged plot of the parents of the five boys involved in beating Sylvester Oromoni Jnr to death, to sneak out the accused children out of Nigeria to evade justice.
The group advised the parents of the accused children to drop the plot as the world is a global village and there would be no hiding place for the wicked.
“They will definitely be returned from whichever country to face the full wrath of the law and be held responsible for their evil acts. Evil parents beget evil children.
“To the Oromoni’s, be rest assured that we are with you in these trying moments.
“May the soul of our little departed son Sylvester Oromoni Jnr Rest In Peace as we celebrate his 12th post-mortem birthday. You are loved even in Heaven,” IWC stated.
