A sad atmosphere envelops the Government Science Secondary School Maitama following the tragic demise of 16-year-old student Meshack Agaba, who reportedly succumbed to electrocution within the school premises.
According to reports, the incident occurred last Wednesday as Agaba was on his way to fetch water from a tap. Unbeknownst to him, he inadvertently stepped on an electric cable that had detached from an electric pole within the school compound.
Despite the alarming circumstances surrounding Agaba’s death, the school management has maintained silence regarding the incident, eliciting concerns from parents and guardians. An anonymous parent revealed that the hazardous condition had persisted prior to the tragedy, with no remedial action taken by the school authorities.
The parent recounted, “The electric pole and the cable had been lying in the area before the incident. The school management didn’t do anything about it. However, Agaba was trying to fetch water last Wednesday morning because they normally wake up at 5 am to fetch water.”
Tragically, Agaba’s attempt to regain balance on the slippery surface led to fatal consequences when he inadvertently came into contact with the live wire, resulting in instantaneous electrocution. Despite the gravity of the incident, the school’s response has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability.
Concerns were further raised as the school management allegedly attempted to alter the narrative following police intervention, falsely claiming that Agaba had attempted to scale the fence when the cable fell on him. Such assertions have been vehemently refuted by eyewitnesses and members of the community.
The grief-stricken parent lamented, “The police even came to pick up the principal. The school management lied, saying that the boy was trying to jump through the fence when the cable fell on him. How can someone who was only wearing a towel attempt to jump the fence at that time of the day?”
Amidst the turmoil, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident and assured that investigations were underway. However, questions linger over the school’s responsibility and the urgent need for corrective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the community mourns the untimely loss of Meshack Agaba, there remains a pressing call for accountability and justice to ensure the safety and well-being of students within educational institutions.
