The sudden death of an 11-year-old student of Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, has sparked concern and speculation, with claims of bullying emerging on social media.
The deceased, Ufok Obong Godwin, reportedly passed away in the early hours of April 5, prompting ongoing investigations by both his family and school authorities into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Social media posts have alleged that a senior student assaulted Godwin after he refused to surrender his provisions, resulting in an injury to his neck.
According to these accounts, he was treated at the school clinic without parental notification before being allowed to return home. Some reports suggested that he experienced neck pain from April 1 and later died from complications related to blood clots.
School authorities, however, presented a different narrative.
The Vice Principal (Administration), Hassan Adamu, declined comment, while Principal Ezeogu Jude confirmed the matter was under investigation.
“He went to the college clinic, was checked, and returned to the hostel. He continued his examination and went about his normal activities,” Jude said. “The information I got was that he was hit by a senior student, but he recovered and went back home.” The principal added that an official statement would follow a School-Based Management Committee meeting on April 9.
Some teachers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the student had been involved in a minor incident on March 14, when he was reportedly hit in the stomach by another student.
They noted that he was examined, found stable, and completed his school exams before the school closed for vacation on March 17.
The educators expressed uncertainty over how he later developed serious health complications.
The boy’s family has cautioned against circulating unverified reports.
Didi Francis, a family spokesperson, stressed that much of the information online was “distorted” and urged patience as investigations continue. “Be assured of a detailed story behind the untimely demise of Ufok Obong Godwin… This will help to avert a recurrence in future,” the statement read.
The incident has reignited calls for stronger anti-bullying measures in schools.
It comes weeks after a similar case in Edo State, where a student was expelled for bullying a junior, leading the state government to order the arrest and prosecution of those involved.
Authorities and the family have appealed to the public to allow due process and await verified findings before drawing conclusions.