Anger and grief have intensified in Rivers State following the death of a two-year-old girl, Winnie Akekue, under controversial circumstances at a private school in the Eligbolo area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Her parents have called for a comprehensive investigation, alleging inconsistencies in the account of events and possible efforts to downplay the incident.
The child reportedly lost her life on March 17 after sustaining critical injuries when a bookshelf allegedly fell on her inside a classroom at Wisdom Gate International School, where she had been dropped off earlier that day.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the father, Iasuaka Akekue, faulted the manner the situation was handled, claiming the family was not immediately notified before their daughter was taken to more than one hospital.
He said preliminary feedback from a medical examiner pointed to a serious head injury as the likely cause of death.
The father also alleged that the accident scene had been tampered with before he arrived, noting that the object involved had been moved.
He further claimed that certain persons had reached out to pressure the family into conducting a quick burial and resolving the matter privately.
According to him, the family’s primary demand is clarity and accountability, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident must be properly established.
The child’s mother, Chinyere Akekue, recounted receiving varying explanations from the school, adding that she was initially led to believe her daughter was still alive.
She described the loss as deeply traumatic, saying the absence of clear information has compounded the family’s pain, especially for their other children.
Meanwhile, the management of the school expressed condolences, stating that staff responded promptly and sought urgent medical attention for the child.
The school said it had notified appropriate authorities and was cooperating with ongoing inquiries, while assuring the public of its commitment to child safety.
It added that internal measures were being reviewed to strengthen safety standards, maintaining that it has remained open in its engagement with investigators as the case unfolds.
