The Lagos State Ministry of Education has taken the drastic step of temporarily closing Chrisland School, Opebi-Ikeja, after the reported death of a 12-year-old student named Whitney Adeyemi.
The closure comes as the state launches a full investigation into the unfortunate incident, News About Nigeria reports.
According to the father of the deceased student, Michael Adeniran, Whitney had no health issues or sickness at the time she was picked up for an event at school. The father expressed his deep pain and sorrow over the loss of his daughter and called for answers from the school authorities.
He also questioned why there were no ambulance or paramedics present at the event and why he was not informed immediately of the situation.
The mother of the deceased girl expressed her heartbreak in a video, stating that Whitney was not taken to a hospital, but instead was taken to an immunization center. She also expressed her frustration over the lack of proper first aid management and the fact that Whitney was brought to the hospital dead.
The closure of Chrisland School comes in the wake of a scandal that occurred in 2022, when a video depicting improper acts among some students during a trip to Dubai went viral. In 2018, a teacher in the school was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in jail for raping a two-year-old female student.
The state education commissioner, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, expressed her condolences to the family of Whitney and called for calm as the investigation continues. She assured that no effort will be spared in uncovering the truth behind this tragedy.
As the family of Whitney demands justice for their daughter, the state government and the police are being called upon to intervene in this matter. The outcome of the investigation will hopefully bring closure and justice for Whitney and her loved ones.
