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Sylvester’s torturers won’t escape justice – Father of late Dowen College pupil

Published

4 years ago

December 5, 2021

Sylvester Oromimi Jnr

Delta-based businessman, Sylvester Oromimi, lost his son, Sylvester Jnr, after some senior students at the Dowen College, Lagos, allegedly tortured him. He tells GODFREY GEORGE how the family is coping after the death of the 12-year-old and their search for justice

Please briefly tell us about yourself?

My name is Mr Slyvester Oromimi. I am a businessman. I am from Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. I am Ijaw by tribe.

Your 12-year-old son reportedly died after being allegedly tortured by his seniors in a boarding school. Can you give us an account of what really happened?

My late son’s name is Sylvester Oromimi Jnr. I gave him my name. Sometime in October this year, my son complained that they (school authorities) put the senior and the junior students in one room. So, these senior boys, whom he shared a room with, would harass him and physically assault him. Each time I gave him money for upkeep – most times, N60,000 – it would not last up to a week. He would call home and start crying that he was hungry and needed more money. I was no longer comfortable. ‘What is really happening to this boy in that school?’ I kept wondering. When I asked him, he refused to say anything. He always acted like he was being threatened not to talk. We kept on buying more provisions. They would steal his clothes and his money. He started keeping his money with his hostel master, one Mr Ahmed.

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Another time, these senior students cornered him and asked if he had seen the private parts of his elder sister who had just passed out of the school. They told him to describe what her private parts looked like. He said he had not seen that before and could not give any description. They started to torture him. When the beating became too much, he then said that he had seen the sister’s private parts, so they would stop beating him. Those were the first instances.

When this incident happened, did he report to the school authorities?

He first told his younger sister (also a student in the school) about it. The younger sister then called her elder sister, who had just passed out of the school, and reported that Sylvester was behaving funny and it seemed like some people were beginning to influence him. So, the elder sister called him and scolded him, wanting to hear his own side of the story. He told the sister that they beat him. She asked, “Who are ‘they’?” He mentioned their names. He said that was the reason he said he saw her nakedness so that they would stop beating him.

News had filtered around the school that Sylvester said he had seen his sister’s private parts and all that. It was really embarrassing, which was why the elder sister called a relative who went to the school on the day of a midterm break. When the relative picked Sylvester up, she found out from their conversation that some seniors had beaten him up. But when the elder sister was there, we didn’t get any such reports of beatings.

Before now, there was an incident that happened involving one of the boys in this latest incident. The incident happened before the elder sister finished from the school. She was the one who told me about it. It was a minor senior-junior case. You know some of these people can be very power-drunk; the fact that they are seniors gets into their heads and messes them up. The Michael boy was in SS1 then. This Michael and his group had wanted to harass Sylvester but some of the classmates of the elder sister saved him. Maybe, after the elder finally passed out of the school, these boys felt it was their time for revenge on Sylvester.

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Did you report this to the school?

Yes, we did. We called the guardian, Mr Ahmed, first to ask him how come he was unaware of all of the things that happened to my son. The school’s response was that they had suspended these seniors who bullied Sylvester. So, we let the matter rest. We didn’t ask again because we thought that was the appropriate treatment.

What happened next?

Sylvester went back to school, and the school authorities moved him from that hostel because of that complaint. So, he was not staying with those senior boys again. The incident that finally led to his demise began on Monday (November 22). The school’s sickbay (manager) called my wife that Sylvester was not feeling well, that he couldn’t sleep throughout the night. They asked that she should come and pick him up. When she asked them what happened, they said, “He said he fell. He said he was playing football and fell.” We don’t know how this happened till today.

They said it was Sylvester that told them that he was playing football at the basketball court and fell. We later learnt that the school did not have a proper field, so students play soccer on the basketball court.

The first thing he (Sylvester) told us was that someone ‘kicked his leg’ when he was playing. All these things he was telling us, he did so, as we later learnt, because he was scared of those senior students, who had threatened to kill him if he told his parents or the school authorities what really transpired.

When did your wife go to pick him up?

By the time they called that Monday it was already late for my wife to travel to Lagos, so we told the school that a friend of the family would come to pick him up. The following day, the family friend, a young man, went to pick him up and when he saw Sylvester, he was surprised. He quickly called us and told us that our son could not walk, that if they touched him, he would shout in pain. His lips had also begun to peel. The pictures are everywhere.

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Initially, we thought it was fever or malaria since we hadn’t seen him physically as we were still in Delta State. He was taken for an X-ray because he could not walk. On Wednesday, one of my older sons went from Warri to join them in Lagos to really ascertain what the situation was. It was when he got there that he realised that it was serious and requested that I join them in Lagos.

I was in Asaba at the time and it was already late that day, so I joined them the following day, which was Thursday. When I saw Sylvester, as a father, I couldn’t bear it; I asked if I could move him to Warri for proper treatment. I asked him to tell me what had happened, Sylvester kept saying, “I fell!”

But before he could even manage to say that he would tremble. I knew that was not his real self; something was not right about him. He was being threatened. He couldn’t move; he couldn’t eat. We had to assist him to the toilet. Any part of his body you touched, he would shout.

Since there was no flight that day, we had to go by the road. That was Friday. I called a masseur to check him up, but that one said there were no dislocations. But my son’s waist and ribs were physically swollen. His chest and shoulders were also swollen. When we got to the hospital and the doctor took a sample, he said Sylvester was having fever and malaria. But my son kept shouting, “My throat! My throat!”

We treated him for malaria till Sunday but he still couldn’t walk, sleep or eat. It was the drip they gave him that sustained him for those days. On Monday, it became so severe between of 11pm and 12pm. That was when he opened up to us. He said he was scared, that the senior boys had threatened to kill him if he exposed them.

Sylvester said he was in his room one night and some five senior boys entered the room and put off the light. He said they beat him with a belt and kicked him till he fell to the ground. When he did, they continued to torture him. After the beating, they forced him to drink something and he did. He couldn’t explain what it was. This explains the peeling of his mouth.

What did you do next?

We had to take him for a scan and another X-ray which showed that he had a swollen liver and some of his internal organs were also swollen. The next day, I took him to the teaching hospital. Before we got to Warri, he had given up the ghost. So, we couldn’t take him to the hospital again.

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Did he mention the names of these boys before his death?

Yes, he did.

Did you take this up with the school?

My eldest son who is abroad contacted the school immediately to register his complaint. He called Mr Ahmed, and he said Ahmed was crying. They took the phone to the principal of the school and mentioned that he wanted to speak to those boys. He was then questioning them, and since it was a video call, he was able to capture their faces in a screenshot.

What was the response of the school?

They called the boys to question them and they gave the same lie my son had been telling before his passing – he fell. The school chose to believe these lies without due investigation. You must have seen their press statement. That is what they maintained until we started sending out these videos and pictures we made of Sylvester when we saw him. The principal called me, asking why I was sending out these pictures all over social media. The Lagos State Government also asked about the videos and we sent them. The boys still refuse to say the truth even in the face of striking evidence.

I heard one of them jumped over the fence yesterday (Thursday). The other boy’s parents, as I heard, came in with a very long convoy around 5am and took him away. The boy carried all his things and joined his parents, who were waiting in the car. I don’t know how true that is, but that was the information my sources fed me with. They feel they are big men. The school authorities would provide them when the time comes. They should keep running. After killing my son, they want to run away. I am just thankful that my son, before he gave up the ghost, mentioned their names. If they allow them to escape, this means they are encouraging that kind of nonsense in their school.

What are your demands?

I want justice. They should invite those boys. They should invite the school authorities. The government should question them and take action.

The Lagos State Government ordered the closure of the school on Friday. How does this make you feel?

I feel happy because that is the first thing to be done as there are other innocent people’s children in that place. If anything happens to those children, I won’t be happy. That I lost my own son does not mean that other people should die. It is also good that they have ordered a probe into the incident to ascertain what really went wrong.

How best would you describe your son?

My son was a very decent boy from a deeply-rooted Christian background. He was not the first child that I sent to Dowen College, Lagos. I had four of them attend that school of which two had finished. The very first one who left is presently abroad. The other one just sat this last WASSCE and she’s here with me. The other one should be in SS1. I asked that he be withdrawn from the school two days ago. Sylvester was the last boy.

How is your wife taking all of this?

She can hear you but she is almost crying. All of us couldn’t sleep. We had to take sleeping pills before we could sleep last night. It has been a really tough time for the family. That boy was our star and light, such a lovely young boy. When I look at the picture I took with him just two months ago when my daughter graduated, it breaks me.

Punch

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Five Suspects Face Judgment Today Over Owo Church Massacre

Published

1 hour ago

June 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Five Suspects Face Judgment Today Over Owo Church Massacre

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 3 for judgment in the trial of five men accused of involvement in the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, left at least 41 worshippers dead and more than 140 others injured. The assault, one of the deadliest on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history, occurred during Sunday mass when attackers threw explosives at the altar and opened fire on congregants, scattering worshippers and plunging the community into mourning.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting the five defendants over their alleged roles in the attack. The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris (20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years). They are facing a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism, including the detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the church. One of the count charges reads: “That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, did detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons.”

The development comes a week after Justice Emeka Nwite reserved judgment in the case following the adoption of final written addresses by the prosecution and defence. At the last hearing on May 26, 2026, Nwite said a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties, adding that notice could come within 24 hours. The matter has now been scheduled for judgment on Wednesday.

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At the close of the trial, the DSS urged the court to convict the defendants and impose the maximum punishment prescribed by law. Ayodeji Adedipe, counsel to the prosecution and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , argued that the evidence before the court established the defendants’ involvement in the attack and warranted the death penalty. Adedipe told the court that the prosecution had painstakingly established its case against the defendants through compelling evidence and detailed investigations, which reflected the determination of security agencies to ensure accountability for one of the deadliest attacks on innocent worshippers in Nigerian history.

However, Abdullahi Mohammad, counsel to the defendants, asked the court to discharge and acquit his clients, contending that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against them.

The trial commenced on August 1, 2025, after the DSS secured an order for an accelerated hearing. During the proceedings, the prosecution called 11 witnesses in a bid to establish the terrorism allegations against the defendants. The court also admitted the defendants’ confessional statements after conducting a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily. The prosecution also tendered a digital forensic examination report alongside a phone alleged to have contained communications exchanged by the defendants before and after the terror attack.

Throughout the trial, survivors of the attack gave harrowing testimony before the court. One survivor, a couple identified in court as “SSE” and “SSD”, testified as prosecution witnesses, with the husband recounting how he had to crawl among dead bodies searching for his missing son while his wife lost both legs and her left eye as a result of injuries sustained during the attack. The wife, a nurse with the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, was wheeled to the centre of the courtroom to show the judge her amputated legs and damaged eye.

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The attack sparked national and international outrage, with world leaders including Pope Francis, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the European Union, and the United Kingdom condemning the assault. Then-President Muhammadu Buhari declared that “the country shall never give in to evil and wicked people,” while the late Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu described the attack as a “deliberate, vicious and calculated assault on peace-loving people.” The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also condemned the attack and demanded justice for the victims.

As the court prepares to deliver its judgment today, security has been tightened around the Federal High Court premises in Abuja, with armed operatives of the DSS and the Nigeria Police deployed to maintain order. The judgment is expected to be delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the trial. The Owo community, still grieving the loss of their loved ones nearly four years after the attack, has been eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial, hoping for justice for the 41 worshippers who lost their lives and the over 140 others who sustained injuries.

Following the attack, the Ondo State Government, under Akeredolu’s leadership, led state-level emergency responses, including visits to hospitalised victims and coordination of relief efforts for affected families. The attack also prompted the South-West Governors’ Forum to declare a three-day mourning period across all South-West states, with flags flown at half-mast in all public institutions in solidarity with the victims.

Legal analysts note that if convicted, the defendants could face the death penalty, which the prosecution has strongly advocated for. However, should the court discharge and acquit the defendants, it could trigger widespread outrage from victims’ families and civil society groups who have been following the case closely. The delivery of judgment in this case comes nearly four years after the tragic attack, which remains one of the deadliest incidents of violence against worshippers in Nigeria’s recent history. Human rights organizations have called for a fair and transparent judicial process, while families of the victims have expressed hope that justice will be served. The case has also drawn attention to the broader challenge of terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on soft targets such as places of worship and schools.

As of the time of this report, the court is expected to convene later today for the judgment delivery. The trial, widely seen as a major test of Nigeria’s resolve against terrorism and mass violence, has been closely watched by legal analysts, human rights groups, and families of the victims.

Five Suspects Face Judgment Today Over Owo Church Massacre

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Enugu Police Kill Two Kidnappers, Recover AK-47 Rifle, Beretta Pistol in Separate Raids

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Trends Admin

The weapons recovered from the two operations

Enugu Police Kill Two Kidnappers, Recover AK-47 Rifle, Beretta Pistol in Separate Raids

Police operatives of Enugu Police Command have foiled a kidnapping attempt, killed two suspected kidnappers and recovered weapons in two separate operations in Enugu State. The operatives recovered three firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, and locally fabricated double-barreled pistols, two magazines loaded with thirty rounds of 7.62mm calibre ammunition, one live cartridge, phones, and other incriminating exhibits during the operations, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for Enugu Police Command, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The command said the operations, carried out on May 30, 2026, were part of its sustained offensive against violent crimes and criminal elements operating within the state. In one of the operations, Ndukwe said police operatives on May 30, 2026, received intelligence that a gang of about five armed men were attempting to kidnap an individual along the Nowas–Abakpa Road axis of Enugu. The first operation occurred at about 8:30 p.m.

He added that police operatives attached to the Command’s Trans-Ekulu Division working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, swiftly responded and encountered the suspects, who opened fire on them. “The operatives responded with precision and fatally immobilised one of the suspects, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The suspect was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. One AK-47 rifle, two magazines loaded with thirty rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, and two mobile phones were recovered from the neutralised suspect,” he said.

The spokesperson said further intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol connected to the criminal gang. Ndukwe added that on the same date at about 9:19 p.m., information was received that a gang of armed robbers had invaded the residence of a man in Owo Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, and were robbing him of his personal belongings.

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“Police operatives attached to the Amechi-Idodo Division, in conjunction with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, immediately mobilised to the scene and engaged the suspects. Upon sighting the operatives, the criminal suspects opened fire on the team. The operatives responded and neutralised one of the suspects, while others fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. One locally made double-barreled pistol loaded with one live cartridge was recovered from the neutralised suspect,” Ndukwe said.

Ndukwe said operational efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover additional exhibits, while investigations into both incidents are ongoing. “The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa has commended the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for their bravery, professionalism, and prompt response. He reiterated the Command’s firm resolve to protecting lives and property and urged citizens to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to enhance public safety,” the spokesperson said.

CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa has also emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among security agencies as a critical requirement for effective security and public safety. While recently receiving the new Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Enugu State Command, the police commissioner stressed that intelligence sharing, operational collaboration, and mutual support among sister security agencies remain paramount to combating crime and sustaining peace and security in Enugu State.

The Commissioner of Police has also called on operatives of the command to “police with human face and respect for human rights” during an interactive town hall meeting with security stakeholders and citizens. He urged his personnel to operate with utmost professionalism and firmness, adding that police operatives on stop-and-search duties are not permitted to intimidate, harass or search the phones of citizens without investigative justification.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media platforms alleging that innocent citizens were attacked in Awgu, Awgu Council Area of the state. The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Malachy Agbo, disclosed in a statement on Monday that no such incident occurred anywhere in Awgu or any other part of the state, describing the report as a fabrication deliberately concocted by individuals seeking to misinform the public and create unnecessary panic. Agbo urged members of the public to disregard the misinformation and refrain from spreading unverified claims capable of causing fear and confusion among citizens. He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, emphasising that the safety and well-being of Enugu people remained central to Gov. Peter Mbah’s transformational development agenda.

The successful operations have been widely praised by residents and security analysts, who note that the combination of intelligence-led policing, collaboration with local Neighbourhood Watch Groups, and sustained pressure on criminal networks is yielding positive results in the fight against kidnapping and armed robbery in Enugu State. The police command has urged citizens to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to enhance public safety across the state.

Enugu Police Kill Two Kidnappers, Recover AK-47 Rifle, Beretta Pistol in Separate Raids

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He Has Lost His Mind — Oyo Govt Slams Fayose Over School Kidnapping Claims

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde

“He Has Lost His Mind” — Oyo Govt Slams Fayose Over School Kidnapping Claims

The Oyo State Government has responded strongly to allegations made by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing his comments as reckless, harmful, and capable of endangering lives.

Governor Seyi Makinde, through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said Fayose’s remarks were unfortunate at a time when security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the release of those still in captivity. According to Oyelade, the former governor’s comments have shocked many Nigerians and amounted to an attempt to politicise a deeply sensitive security issue.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oyelade accused Fayose of displaying a troubling level of bitterness and hostility, adding that his remarks could undermine ongoing efforts by security operatives handling the kidnapping case. The statement read in part: “Nigerians are shocked by Fayose’s comment. He needs prayers. For a former governor to be so consumed by the politics of vindictiveness, vileness, deceit and hate, that he would further endanger the lives of those in captivity and distract security agents from handling this delicate job, smacks of one who has lost his mind.”

“Governor Makinde is too preoccupied with finding a solution to the challenges posed by the kidnappers of children and teachers in the state to engage someone whose lifestyle and comportment have been suspect over a long time,” the commissioner added. The Oyo State Government maintained that its attention remains focused on addressing the security situation and ensuring the safe return of all victims. It urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting the efforts of security agencies. Oyelade also recalled previous comments allegedly made by Fayose against the Oyo governor, suggesting that the former Ekiti governor had repeatedly sought to drag Governor Makinde into political controversies.

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The latest exchange follows comments made by Fayose during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday. During the interview, the former governor criticised Governor Makinde’s handling of the kidnapping incident and suggested that the abduction may have been politically motivated. Fayose further alleged, without presenting evidence, that the incident could have been orchestrated to embarrass President Bola Tinubu, a claim that has since generated reactions from political observers and government officials. “I sometimes believe that the abduction at Oyo School was orchestrated by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President Tinubu,” Fayose was quoted as saying. He also accused Governor Makinde of failing to respond promptly to the incident, claiming that the governor prioritised political activities over the crisis. “The governor of Oyo State had his nomination and that of his candidates in the face of this abduction. He did not take any action, no steps were taken. It was after those nominations that he went to the families to visit them,” Fayose said.

The abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has sparked concern across Oyo State, with many residents calling for stronger security measures to tackle the growing threat of kidnappings. The attack, which occurred on May 15, 2026, saw armed men raid Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in a coordinated operation that sent shockwaves across the state. Approximately 46 pupils and teachers were abducted, including a two-year-old pupil and a school principal. Tragically, there have been reports that one of the abducted teachers was killed in captivity.

In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and deployed a specialised rescue team to the affected communities. The President also dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, which included the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa. Addressing residents of the affected Esiele and Yawota communities, Gbajabiamila assured them that the President was “deeply troubled” by the incident and that the rescue operation would be “intelligence-led,” deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims. The delegation also promised to forward a request for a military base in the area to the President for consideration.

Governor Makinde has also appealed to Nigerians to stop apportioning blame over the abduction, urging instead that citizens support government efforts to ensure the safe and speedy release of the victims. Addressing protesters comprising members of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) , the National Union of Teachers (NUT) , and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ibadan, the governor disclosed that federal security operatives had been in the state for the past two weeks and that he meets with them at least three times daily to review rescue efforts. “This is not the time to trade blames,” Makinde said. “It is time to unite, to confront the challenges that we have and to bring back those children and their teachers.” The abduction has now entered its third week, with the whereabouts of the victims still unknown, leaving families trapped between hope and uncertainty as security agencies race to secure their freedom.

The exchange between Makinde and Fayose has generated heated debates on social media, with Nigerians divided over the former governor’s allegations. Some have questioned the timing of the abduction, which coincided with heightened political activity in the state, while others have dismissed Fayose’s claims as politically motivated and lacking evidence. Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government insists that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the victims and restore confidence in the state’s security architecture.