Lagos shuts Redeemers school over drowning of 5-year-old pupil

The Lagos state government has shut the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba.

Earlier, a five-year-old pupil was said to have drowned during a swimming lesson organised by the school at the Ivory Health Club in the Ikeja axis of the state.

The deceased, identified as Chidera Eze, was said to have been playing close to the pool with his colleagues during the training when he suddenly slipped into it.

Some staff of the school had been detained alongside workers at the wellness centre where the drowning happened.

But in a statement on Monday, Folashade Adefisayo, the Lagos commissioner of education, said the school will remain closed pending an investigation to ascertain if its operations were in line with safety standards.

The commissioner also said the police are still investigating the matter.

Adefisayo disclosed that a preliminary probe by the office of education quality assurance of the ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is not yet an approved school.

She reiterated that the school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded.

Adefisayo urged parents to wait for the conclusion of the investigation.

Anthony, the pupil’s father, had earlier alleged that the school’s officials neglected his son, resulting in his death.

“All these happened. None of the teachers, caregivers, and lifeguards took notice of what was happening,” he said.

“My son was under the water for over 30 minutes and we were all shouting as we watched the video.

“Another pupil also fell into the water, but her colleagues raised the alarm and they pulled her out and while this was going on, nobody noticed my son was inside the water.”