A13-year-old JSS II student, Samuel Oladimeji, is on admission at Ikorodu General Hospital after his classmate allegedly stabbed him in the stomach, bringing out his intestines.
Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria that Samuel was allegedly stabbed by his 16-year-old classmate (name withheld) following a dispute over a handkerchief.
NAN learnt that the incident happened at Isiuwu Grammar School, Isiuwu, near Ikorodu on May 11 at about9.30am.
The victim was taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where a surgery was successfully carried out on him, while the suspect was arrested and detained at Imota Police Station for interrogation, it was learnt.
A police source said: “Samuel came to school with a handkerchief and the classmate wanted to forcefully collect the item from him but was resisted.
“The suspect brought out a knife and stabbed him in the abdomen and the boy’s intestines came out.
“His mother was contacted immediately, while some teachers rushed him to Ikorodu General Hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the mother of the victim, Bola Oladimeji, told NAN that her son would have died if not for God’s mercy and the prompt attention by doctors at Ikorodu General Hospital.
Mrs. Oladimeji said: “As soon as I sighted my son’s intestines dripping blood profusely, I lost hope that he would survive.
“I am most grateful to the doctors in the hospital for their prompt response.
“I also thank the Lagos State Government for paying the bills for the treatment.
“Now, my son has recovered and is prepared to go home.”
Oladimeji said the parents of the suspect had been pleading for mercy on behalf of their child, attributing the attack to the devil’s handiwork.
A reliable source at Imota Police Station told NAN that both families were hoping to resolve the matter amicably.
The source said: “The boy was arrested on the day of incident; the school and the two families have met to resolve the matter amicably.
“The state’s ministries of health and education are also involved in this matter.”
When NAN visited the hospital, no one was willing to talk on the matter as the Chief Medical Director was said to be out of the office.
The Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, Steve Ayorinde, who also confirmed the incident, described the operation as a remarkable feat for Ikorodu General Hospital.
Ayorinde commended the doctors for saving Samuel’s life, stressing that the operation was a reflection of the capacity of the state government hospitals.
NAN.