Clash: 4 Killed In Anambra, Edo, Schools Shut

About four people were reported killed in Anambra and Edo States following a clash and the death of a 12-year-old pupil.

Three persons were killed while an operational vehicle of a vigilance group was burnt during a clash between a joint team of security operatives and criminals in Anambra state.

The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday following sporadic shooting by armed hoodlums in Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area and the neighbouring Oko town in Orumba North local government area.

Sources from the area said the shooting spree occurred as a result of alleged resistance by traders around the newly constructed Ekwulobia flyover, who were directed to vacate the area for a new market constructed for them.

It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed the Ekwulobia flyover yesterday morning, shooting sporadically, and in the process, two members of the public were killed, and one operational vehicle belonging to the operatives of the Anambra State Vigilance Service was burnt.

The public relations officer of the state police command (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said among the three people killed were “two unsuspecting members of the public” and, one of the armed hoodlums who was neutralised during a crossfire that ensued between the rampaging hoodlums and a joint security team led by the personnel of the state police command.

Meanwhile, the Edo State government has withdrawn the licenses of two private schools over the death of a 12-year-old pupil, Nathan Paul Spencer.

The government also arrested the head of one of the affected schools.

The commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, who disclosed this during a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased, explained that the victim died while going to write the First School Leaving Certificate Examination last Saturday.

He said, “Edo State government has shut down two schools after a 12-year-old student, Nathan Paul Spencer, died while on his way to sit for the Middle Basic Assessment Examination on Saturday, June 25.

“The tragedy occurred during a heavy downpour that caused severe flooding. An investigation revealed that the management of the pupil’s school had registered him to write the examination at a different school without informing his parents.

“Furthermore, it was revealed that the head of the school had taken the registration fee from Nathan’s parents in Ovia local government area and negligently took the child to another school in Egor local government area for the examination.

“Tragically, Nathan fell into a gutter and drowned during the heavy rain when he was trekking from the local Government to another.”

The commissioner expressed displeasure over the incident and delivered Governor Monday Okpebholo’s condolences to the family.

He added that the state government would ensure that those responsible for the pupil’s death are held accountable.

Meanwhile, the commissioner has hinted that two other private schools would be shut down for allegedly collecting illegal fees from over 200 students, without the government’s approval.

According to him, the head of the schools connived to collect money from the students, divert payment into the State Internally Generated Revenue account, and use the latter as a centre for the exam.

The development left the children stranded in the rain until the Ministry of Education intervened.

He, therefore, advised parents to monitor their kids closely and not leave them in the hands of hustlers in the disguise of being school owners.

“The recovered vehicles include one red Toyota Camry with Registration Number ENU 58 SC, a custom-coloured GLK Mercedes-Benz without registration number, a golden-coloured Lexus 330 with Registration Number ENU 815 AP, and one ash Toyota Highlander with Registration Number GDD 517 RW.

“The Armed criminals unprovokedly shot indiscriminately under the Ekwulobia flyover. Consequently, in a swift response, the Joint Security Team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel. Regrettably, the incident recorded the death of two unsuspecting members of the public and the burning of a brown Toyota Sienna vehicle allegedly belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in the morgue”, Ikenga stated further.

He also said that the neighbouring Oko Divisional Police Headquarters, in Orumba-North local government, witnessed an attack. Still, the gallant officers on duty repelled the assault by the armed criminals.

He said that no casualties were recorded and that a joint security team has been on aggressive pursuit of the hoodlums.

He also said that the state commissioner of police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has implemented adequate security measures in the affected communities and urged residents to remain calm as efforts to ensure their safety continued unabated.