Armed youths from Igbodo community, Delta State governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s local government area, Ika North East, have allegedly invaded St. Pius Xth Catholic Grammar School, Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North local government area of the state, destroying the perimeter fence put up by the Old Boys Association of the school.
The incident which occurred Thursday, it was learnt that the fierce looking youths took the school principal, Rev. Fr. Anthony Banye and students captive for several hours before bringing the school perimeter fence which was estimated at about N9 million down.
Speaking to members of Indigenous Newspapers and Magazines Chapel (INMC), of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Thursday in Asaba, the Vice President of the school’s Old Boys’ Association, Mr Austine Nwamu, flanked by Sir Awazia Eyimofor, Charles Ogodi and Mr Ogorchukwu Nwaolor, bemoaned the action of the Igbodo infuriated youths and the destruction, describing it as “a downright attack on the destiny of the students”.
Nwamu, expressed displeasure that the N9 million, out of the N16 million required for the parameter fencing of the 50 years old school had been wasted following the action of the enraged youths and called on relevant security agencies to arrest and bring to book those involved in the unholy act.
Hear him: “N16 million was estimated to fence the school round and provide adequate protection for the pupils. With this act, N9 million had been wasted. We don’t want to engage our neighbouring town in a communal war. So, something should be done by government and relevant authorities before it degenerates into serious crisis”.
It was reliably gathered that the near bloody action carried out by the armed youths followed an earlier announcement round the Igbodo community, calling on all youth to mobilise for the invasion of the school which saw the youths holding the school principal and students to hostage and destruction of the parameter fence.
Our correspondent learnt that, the fuming youths, after pulling down the parameter fence of the school, threatened to cause more harms should the school authority continue with the ongoing parameter fencing of the school.
The Vice President of the school’s Old Boys’ Association, however disclosed that the matter had since been reported to the monarch of Onicha-Ugbo, the state Police Command and the Department of Security Service (DSS).
It was learnt that the 50 years old school had so far produced the likes of Mr. Ibe Kachickwu, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Sylvester Monyi former Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Project Monitory and Evaluation and now senior special assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa among other notable personalities.
