The Lagos State Government (LASG) has launched an investigation into the sudden death of a two-year-old pupil from Smiley Kids Montessori School, Sangotedo, Lagos Island, whose identity remains undisclosed.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, January 15.
The devastating news was shared on social media by the grieving mother through her X handle, Ellla@AbiaPrincess_X.
The heartbroken mother is demanding answers regarding her child’s death, which has been attributed to drowning in the school’s swimming pool.
She stated that her daughter, a student at Smiley Kids Montessori in Sangotedo, went to school in good health but returned dead.
Electrocution or drowning?
The grieving mother claimed that she was initially told her daughter had drowned. However, she now alleges that her child was electrocuted and that her body was placed in the pool to make it appear as though she had drowned.
She shared an image of the pool, showing a tall barricade meant to keep children away, and questioned how a two-year-old could have climbed over it.
She has called on the Lagos State Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
“Smiley School International, Sangotedo, Lagos Island, please bring her back. We cannot bear this alone.
“Please, if you have your child in that school, beware. They lied they were closed due to maintenance. I lost my Pinky Ella,” the bereaved mother shared on her X handle with a picture of her daughter, now deceased.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilayo Adeniyi-Vivour, expressed the government’s readiness to begin an immediate probe into the unfortunate incident to establish the immediate or remote cause of the death as well as ensure justice.
“My Goodness. First off, we are so sorry for your loss and thank you for bringing this situation to our attention. Please send us a DM as soon as you can,” she stated on the @Lagosdsva X handle.
On efforts deployed so far by the state government to ensure justice for the family, Adeniyi-Vivour said: “The Lagos State Task Force on Safeguarding and Child Protection, which comprises top-level representatives of the relevant Ministries, Agencies, and Departments, MDAs, including the Office of Education Quality Assurance, DSVA, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and Lagos State Safety Commission, is visiting the school today on a fact-finding mission.
“Similarly, we have since been in touch with the police (Ogombo), and we are going to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, to support the criminal investigation of the case and possible prosecution.”
