‘Justice must be served’ — death of Dowen College student sparks outrage

The death of Sylvester Oromoni, the 12-year-old pupil of Dowen College in Lagos, has begun to generate outrage on Twitter.

The late student, fondly called Junior, was earlier rumoured to have been brutally beaten to death for refusing to join a cult group in the school.

The student’s father also told TheCable Lifestyle that his son was allegedly beaten and given a liquid substance described as “a chemical” by some of his “senior colleagues”.

“Junior said, ‘mummy, I didn’t play ball; I didn’t fall.’ He jumped off his hostel bed. They kicked him, matched his waist. Other students ran off. They threatened to kill them all if they spoke a word to the school staff. They warned Junior to say he sustained injuries while playing ball. They threatened him. If you ask the roommate, they’d all lie. They matched his ribs and waist. All that pain for a 12-year-old,” the father said.

But the school had dismissed the claim, alleging that he only sustained injuries while playing football with his colleagues.

Amid the dust trailing the incident, several Nigerians have taken to social media platforms, particularly Twitter, to demand justice using the hashtag #JusticeForSylvester.

While some users called on relevant authorities to shut down the school, others said measures must be put in place to ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet.

“We’ve seen cases of child protection rights abuse & bullying in Dowen, Chrisland & Deeper Life schools. They all moved on like nothing happened, reminding us that, this after all, is Nigeria, where human rights mean nothing and TRUTH is just a 5 letter word,” a user wrote.

“…his bullies killed him and justice must be served. #Justiceforsylvester,” another user wrote.

Here’s what other Nigerians had to say:

This will not be swept under the carpet. #Justiceforsylvester https://t.co/wRBHhQk8I5

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— Award Winning Wife (@bimbo_cash) December 3, 2021

This shouldn’t be another hashtag #Justiceforsylvester pic.twitter.com/KfbVEYSrCz

— TACHA🔱🇳🇬🇬🇭 (@Symply_Tacha) December 2, 2021

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I just convinced my mother not to send my only brother to a boarding house 🙌, I’ve been trying to convince her since last year. that school must be held accountable for the demise of that boy! I still can’t believe this is happening in a modern society #Justiceforsylvester

— ThatChristiangirl🕊 (@Lady_Annie8) December 3, 2021

I saw the poor boy's video, couldn't watch it to the end. I pray he gets the justice he deserves.
I also attended a boarding school and I can confirm that bullying exist in almost all boarding schools. The school should stop pretending. #JusticeForSylvester#ShutDowndowen

— Your Favourite Sugar Girl💕💕 (@The_sugargirl) December 2, 2021

Innocent boy was killed at school, the school is covering the murderers, our government are protecting the school. This is not the first time this kind of thing happen and sadly it might not be the last. May the boy soul rest in perfect peace.#Justiceforsylvester pic.twitter.com/82WWkFtaQU

— Khaleel (@Khalilullahi2) December 3, 2021

This is my friend’s baby brother. Please keep sharing until Justice is SERVED and Dowen college answer for their negligence!!! #Justiceforsylvester https://t.co/BkqQucQeyX

— Teni (@teniajay) December 2, 2021

This useless country failed the 12 years old boy. What’s even more heartbreaking is the news making rounds that one of the murderers have been flown out. He must get justice!

All the kids involved should be tried for murder, how do you allow a murderer fly!😭#Justiceforsylvester

— Àgbà Akin (@Kynsofficial) December 3, 2021

This country sha!!! An 11 year old was killed in a school and the next thing they are sending policemen to protect the school,when did we become this heartless??? So the child should just die and go like that? Thats what they are saying?? #JusticeForSylvester

— WarepamorSammy 🇳🇬 (@Warepamorsammy) December 2, 2021

#Justiceforsylvester stop asking why slyvester didn't report it to he's older sis. Do you know if they threatened to hurt her, do you how much fear they installed in him? Do you know if it was the one time he stood up for himself, he got brutalised. Only slyvester knows

— lady of lagos (@_weyimi) December 3, 2021

Dowen College should do a proper investigation about what happened to Sylvester.#Justiceforsylvester

— Mindset🗝️ (@Mindset_tweet) December 3, 2021

This boy didn’t deserve to die. It’s pathetic that the school doesn’t even care, they’re making up stupid excuses because the murderers parents are influential? Nobody deserves that kind of treatment ffs. He was just 12 years old!😭#Justiceforsylvester

— yourbabygurltee (@oghenetegaw) December 3, 2021