The community of Ikot Ekpene is currently shrouded in grief as a devastating incident at the Federal Government College has left a family searching for answers. The death of Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, a 12-year-old JSS 2 student, has sparked outrage and tension across Akwa Ibom State following allegations that he was bullied to death by a senior student over a dispute involving school provisions.
Details reaching Zoyols News suggest that the tragedy began to unfold shortly before the Easter break during the school’s terminal examinations. According to a student who lived in the same hostel as the deceased, an SS3 student had approached Ufokobong, demanding a share of his food supplies. When the younger boy explained that he didn’t have enough to spare, the senior student reportedly launched a violent assault, focusing his strikes on the boy’s neck.
The witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described a harrowing scene where the 12-year-old fainted three times under the weight of the physical abuse before other students could raise an alarm. Although the boy was reportedly taken to a clinic and later regained consciousness, the severity of the internal damage remained largely hidden. When the school term ended and his parents came to pick him up for the holidays, they were allegedly left in the dark about the physical trauma their son had endured.
Upon returning home, Ufokobong began complaining of excruciating pain in his throat and neck. His parents, initially suspecting a minor ailment or a common sore throat, administered pain relief medication. However, his condition took a sharp turn for the worse on Saturday night. His father, sensing the gravity of the situation, reached out to friends for prayers as he rushed his son to the hospital.
Tragedy struck on Easter Sunday when the young boy passed away. Medical professionals later confirmed that the cause of death was linked to complications from blood clots that had formed around his neck and throat area—injuries consistent with the alleged assault at school.
The Principal of Federal Government College, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, described the event as a deeply painful loss for the institution. He noted that the school is currently in a state of mourning, referring to Ufokobong as a child of the nation whose passing has touched everyone. While he confirmed the incident, he stated that the school management committee would be meeting to formally investigate and communicate the circumstances surrounding the death.
Reports reached out to the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, who indicated that the authorities would look into the matter, though an official statement was still pending at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, the bereaved family is struggling to process the loss of their son. Ufokobong’s father, overwhelmed by grief, has called on the Federal Government to step in and ensure that justice is served. He maintained that while he is not yet in a position to speak extensively on the trauma his family is facing, he will not rest until the truth behind his son’s untimely death is fully uncovered.
