The Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of all Chrisland Schools in the state with immediate effect.
Theclosire order was contained in a statement on Monday following the revelation of the alleged rape of a 10-year-old pupil of the school.
Information available in the alleged rape revealed that the incident occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during an excursion for the students.
The closure order was signed by the Ministry of Education, the Office of Education Quality Assurance; the Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and the Ministry of Justice.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Lagos State government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland School which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“It is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, including the Ministry of Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Ministry of Justice and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the Commissioner of Police.
“In view of the allegations, we are committed to ensuring that adequate medical and pscyho social support is provided.
“This is to reassure members of the public of the state government’s commitment to safety and child protection, especially in ensuring that all child-centered institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Program.
“We also use this medium to remind the general public that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, commits an offence and is liable to custodial sentence of fourteen, 14, years. This includes ‘producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography.’
“In the meantime, all Chrisland Schools within Lagos State are hereby closed, pending further investigations.”
