The mother of an 11 year-old student of Deeper Life High School in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, who alleged that her son was sexually molested by some senior students has said there are pressures from undisclosed quarters threatening her to stop further publicity of the issue.
Mrs Deborah Okezie had posted a video on Facebook where she alleged that her son, Don Davies Okexie, who is a Junior secondary school (JSS) one student, was sexually abused, frequently starved and beaten up by the senior students who moved him from his hostel to another hostel originally meant for senior students.
The release of the video resulted in the suspension of the Principal of the college as Nigerians amplified the voice of the boy’s mother with their reactions seeking for justice.
The school authority as well as the state government have also gone ahead to launch an investigation into the allegation.
Mrs Okezie said there has been pressure on her to pull down from Facebook, video clips containing her complaint as well as threats and pressure from undisclosed quarters.
Reports from multiple news sources say a medical report is out from the hospital after the victim was taken to the hospital on December 19 by his parents.
While speaking on the allegation on a monitored television programme, a sociologist at the University of Uyo, Dr Aniekan Brown, gave an analysis of the short-term and long-term psychological effect of the incident.
Brown said the ugly incident could discourage the victim and other children from going to school, adding that the long-term effects could mar the victim’s future if not properly managed.
He, however, applauded the state government for setting up a panel to investigate the case while calling for more alertness on both the part of the school management and parents, properly monitoring the activities of students to prevent an occurrence of such an ugly incident.
The school which is located along the Idoro Road in Uyo is currently locked up according to eyewitnesses.
Alleged Child Abuse: Nigerians flare up on social media
Following the complaints of Mrs Deborah Okezie over the alleged sexual molestation of her 11-year old son at the Deeper Life High School in Uyo, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their displeasure.
See some of the reactions below:
Some Nigerians on social media have also called on the Pastor and Founder of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi to intervene and speak up concerning the allegation.
Akwa Ibom govt concludes investigation, Deeper Life High School to speak on allegation
A report according to the news platform, Premium Times, says the Akwa Ibom State government have concluded its investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of 11 year-old boy in a school dormitory by fellow students of Deeper Life High School in the state.
The state governor, Governor Udom Emmanuel had ordered the Ministry of Education in the state to investigate the allegation, after the victim’s mother took to Facebook to cry out that her son, a JSS1 student, was sexually molested in the school which is owned by a Pentecostal church, The Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
“I have submitted the report. The state government will soon make a statement,” the Commissioner for Education, Enobong Mbobo, said.
Meanwhile, the Education Secretary of the Deeper Life High School in a publicity shared online will grant a press interview to speak on the allegation.
