The Lagos State Government has ordered the shutdown of Chrisland International School pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of pupil Whitney Adeniran. Whitney died during the school’s inter‑house sports at Agege Stadium in the Agege area. State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso confirmed the decision in a telephone interview on Sunday, saying, “We are investigating the matter but, as a first step, we will shut down Chrisland tomorrow (Monday) to allow for a full investigation.” The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasadee Adefisayo, has spoken with Whitney’s father to express sympathy and support for the family.
Two conflicting narratives have emerged regarding the circumstances of Whitney’s death on Thursday, 9 February 2023. Eyewitnesses, school officials and the doctor who attended to her after she was rushed to hospital claim the 12‑year‑old collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest. Whitney’s father, Michael Adeniran, told BBC Pidgin that his daughter was electrocuted by a live wire from a cotton‑candy vendor’s machine. “She died from a naked wire. I have documented evidence that my child died of electrocution, not cardiac arrest as Chrisland claims,” he said.
According to our correspondent, the school bus collected Whitney and other pupils and took them to Agege Stadium for the inter‑house sports. Whitney’s mother, Blessing, attended the event and later discovered her daughter missing from the march‑pasts. She recounted that a pupil informed her Whitney had slumped and was taken to hospital, but there was no ambulance, doctor or nurse on site despite the presence of over 500 students and 100 parents. When she asked a staff member where Whitney was being taken, she was told it was Agege Central Hospital. However, a search on Google Maps showed only Agege Central Mosque at that location, and the gate staff were unaware of any hospital.
Blessing eventually found the hospital and discovered her daughter dead, with her lips and tongue blackened. She described the scene: “She was drenched, water dripping from her skin. I knelt, called on God, shouted, and felt no pulse. The doctor said she suffered cardiac arrest.” She questioned how a healthy 12‑year‑old could experience cardiac arrest without any pre‑existing condition, noting that Whitney had been well when the bus picked her up. Blessing also claimed Whitney was taken to an immunisation centre, not a hospital, and that there was no proper first‑aid response.
Michael Adeniran posted on Facebook demanding a probe into his daughter’s death and urging the Lagos State Government to intervene. He wrote, “As a father, I demand answers from Chrisland International High School. My daughter is highly loved by us. Since we started asking questions, the school has asked us to back down from the autopsy. I call on the pathology department of @lasuth to be honest with their result. Lagos State Government, Nigeria Government, please intervene.”
Chrisland Schools Limited issued a statement expressing condolences and describing Whitney’s death as a painful loss. The school said Whitney was a day student who had opted not to participate in the inter‑house sports for reasons they could not confirm. They noted that on 20 January 2023 she had complained of “not‑too‑buoyant health,” prompting the school to contact her parents, who then took her home. The statement asserted that Whitney collapsed in public view, was rushed to the nearest medical facility where a doctor administered oxygen and other aid, and that regulatory agencies had been notified for a comprehensive assessment. The school affirmed its commitment to supporting the family while awaiting an independent post‑mortem.
State Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that the cause of death has not yet been determined. “The investigation is ongoing, but the real reason behind her death is not yet ascertained. When it is, I will let you know. I don’t want to listen to hearsay,” he said.
Comments are closed for this story.