Father demands justice after child dies from drinking kerosene in school
A heart-wrenching incident has rocked Uja village in Oru Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State, as a pre-nursery pupil of a private school, Okoronta Jessica Chuks, has tragically passed away. The child allegedly consumed a harmful liquid substance while at school, sparking outrage and calls for justice from her grieving family and the local community.
According to the father of the deceased, Mr. Okoronta Chuks, he received a distressing phone call from the school’s headmistress on November 21, 2024, informing him that his daughter had been rushed to a clinic in Nnono Oboro. The reason provided was that the child had consumed what was suspected to be kerosene.
Speaking amidst tears, Mr. Chuks expressed shock and dissatisfaction at the school’s handling of the situation, particularly their decision to move the child to a clinic without informing him first.
“Imagine, they took my child to a clinic without my knowing! I believe as an affected parent, I should have a choice of the hospital, and also, we have a family doctor. So I took a bike ride to the place as she mentioned. When I got there, it was a horrific scenario. We were hopeful that the child would be revived but sadly, she gave up,” he recounted.
The devastated father has since called for justice, reporting the matter to the Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force.
James Uchegbuo, Secretary of the Oboro Council of President Generals Forum, also weighed in on the incident. He criticized the alleged negligence, emphasizing that no harmful substance should be kept in areas where children are present.
He urged law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice for the bereaved family.
“The Police must ensure a credible investigation and bring justice to the family of this innocent child,” Uchegbuo said.
The Abia State Command has confirmed that the case is under investigation. Speaking on behalf of the command, the Police Spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, stated:
“Yes, we have such a report. It was reported, and investigation is ongoing.”
This tragic incident has sparked conversations about child safety in schools and the need for stringent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The family, local leaders, and concerned citizens are now awaiting the results of the police investigation, hoping for accountability and justice.
