Anambra State: Private schools shut as recent gunmen attacks fuel more severe Monday sit at home

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By Madu Obi

The Monday sit at home has become more severe in Anambra State following the recent attacks in parts of the state.

As a result, private and mission schools that had been attending schools on Mondays directed immediate suspension of schools.

In a surprise move, the Catholic Education Council in a directive said: "Due to certain security concerns, it has been considered that schools will not be holding on Mondays till further notice.

Pupils are advised to stay at home and resume on Tuesday 26th November. We're sorry for any inconvenience.

SSS3 students are, however, expected to be coming to school on Mondays and Saturdays for special lessons without uniform.

We appreciate all those who have made sincere efforts to complete all their payments as we expected every well-meaning parent/guardian to have done before now. Please kindly inform others about this message".

It was gathered that the latest directive followed alleged threat by unknown people to attack school buses and schools that open on Mondays.

As usual, commercial activities did not take place in most parts of Anambra. At the Awka main market, traders hurriedly closed their shops when information went round that gunmen were going to attack the market for opening on Monday.

The Anambra Innovation week, which began on Monday also witnessed very low turnout as the participants who were expected to come from various parts of the state could not make it.

The state deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim , however, declared the week open and the expectation is that the full attendance would begin on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen launched another attack on operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Service, injuring one of them and set ablaze their vehicle.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident took place along Amesi-Uga Road in Aguata local government area of the state.

Ikenga said that police operatives responded swiftly to the attack and rescued the injured vigilante and immediately took him to the hospital where he is receiving treatment.

He added that the police secured the scene of the attack to prevent further criminal activity and ensured that properties and goods were safeguarded.

He stated that joint security forces have intensified patrols in the area, employing intelligence-led operations to deny the hoodlums the opportunity to cause further harm and facilitate their eventual arrest.

In another development, Ikenga reported that police operatives from the Okpoko Divisional Police headquarters responded to a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at Chukwunonso Street along Obodoukwu road, Okpoko.

"The scene was cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from exploiting the situation to loot properties, and swift action by fire service operatives brought the situation under control.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been initiated to prevent future occurrences," Ikenga said.