Death Of Two-year Old Pupil: Rivers Suspends School’s Activities

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Following the controversy surrounding  the death of a two-year old female  pupil ,the River State Government, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, ordered the immediate suspension of all academic activities at a privately-owned  educational institution- Wisdom Gate International Schools.

While the authorities of the school are claiming that the pupil died as a result of books which fell off the shelf and hit her, the family has remained adamant that it was the book shelf itself that fell on the little girl, and led to her death.

According to reports, the incident occurred on March 17, 2026, at the Campus 1 of the school located in Eligbolo in Obio/Akpor Local Council of the State.

A statement from the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peter Nwagor, informed that the suspension will remain in force  pending when the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident are resolved.

According to Nwagor, the decision to suspend academic activities in the school was arrived at after Government interacted with all the parties, including the deceased family.

“The Rivers State Ministry of Education has carefully evaluated the tragic incident that occurred at one of our approved schools – Wisdom Gate International Schools in Eligbolo, resulting in the death of a two-year old girl on the 17th of March, 2026.

“While we deeply sympathise with the parents of the child over the irreparable loss, and respect their privacy during these moments of grief, we appeal to members of the public to do same and avoid speculations.

“As a Ministry, we have interfaced with the Management of the school and conducted our own independent investigations into the incident.

“Consequently, Wisdom Gate International Schools, Campus 1, Eligbolo, is hereby suspended from operations and shall not resume academic activities until the issues surrounding the matter are fully resolved”, Nwagor stated.