Schoolboy opens up on alleged molestation at Deeper Life school

The 11-year-old boy, who was allegedly sexually abused at the Deeper Life High School in Akwa Ibom, Don Davies, has opened up on his ordeal.

In a Facebook live video with his mother, Don Davies who enrolled in the school on October 8, 2020, said his problem began when he started bedwetting in the school’s dormitory.

He said he had to be transferred to the dormitory for senior students because of his situation.

“Because of bedwetting, Mr Akpan used a belt on me, iron, stick, and sometimes stone. They transferred me from JSS 1 dormitory to the one for SS 1 students. Mrs Ndidi told Mr Joseph Ikenna to transfer me,” he said.

At the seniors’ dormitory, the 11-year-old said, “Two boys named Ola and Shalom used to put their hand inside my anus, bring out faeces and use the same hand to beat me.”

When his mother asked why he didn’t report to the school authorities, not even Mrs Ndidi who ordered his transfer to the dormitory, Don Davies said Ola and Shalom threatened to kill him if he did.

He said Ola and Shalom are SS 1 students, his seniors, who allegedly carried out the abuse on him without the knowledge of the school authorities.

While his mother continued to interrogate him, Don Davies revealed that the seniors made him bend for them to put their hand in his anus. He said their action made him feel like passing out faeces.

On when they used to carry out the alleged act, he said, “12 O’clock when everybody has slept.”

His mother then asked him why he failed to tell the school’s vice-principal who noticed something awkward about his gait.

“Your vice principal told me that he once called you and asked you why you were walking with your legs open like a woman. Why didn’t you seize that opportunity to tell him what was happening to you?” she asked.

He replied that Ola and Shalom threatened to kill him if he tried to tell anyone about what they were doing to him.

He said when he was brought back to JSS 1 dormitory, Mr Akpan continued to beat him because of the bedwetting.

Whenever it was mealtime in school, he said, “Mr Akpan sends me back to the dormitory to go and stay there.” He said the aim was for him not to get food because he would return late from the dormitory.

“It’s a way of starving me,” he said when his mother asked if it was Mr Akpan’s way of stopping the bedwetting.

The allegation is currently being investigated by the police, with the Akwa Ibom State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini EmemObong, promising to take the appropriate action once the investigation is concluded.

A statement by the Akwa Ibom government reads in part: “We appeal to the public to exercise patience for a thorough investigation to be carried out by the police and other relevant institutions on the matter. The State Government will upon receipt of the reports take necessary actions thereto.”