Insecurity: Soludo orders closure of schools in Nnewi

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By Madu Obi

Following rising tensions surrounding the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week.

The decision follows fears of potential violence, with reports of threats from non-state actors to disrupt the event unless certain unresolved issues were addressed.

The situation escalated further on Wednesday evening when gunmen attacked Nnewi, killing several people and setting a vehicle ablaze. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m., created widespread panic as residents fled for safety.

With the burial set for Friday in Umuanuka village, Otolo Nnewi, the state government issued a circular on Thursday directing all schools in the Nnewi zone to shut down until Tuesday next week. Parents were also advised to keep day students at home to ensure their safety.

In the circular, shared through school WhatsApp groups, school principals were urged to communicate the closure to parents and caution against students wandering in school uniforms during this period.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has refuted claims linking the Nnewi attack to the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the attackers were not non-state actors, as speculated. According to Ikenga, the incident was the result of a gunfight between security operatives and a suspect at a checkpoint.

A statement by the PPRO read: "The command is aware of the shooting incident that took place at Izuchukwu junction, Nnobi/Nnewi road by 7 pm on Wednesday 20/11/2024 where Security Operatives mistook the Police Operatives as unfriendly forces and opened fire at them. However, the command wishes to emphasize that the attack on the operatives was not from non state actors or any attempt to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Preliminary information shows that security operatives on investigation trailed a suspect to a security checkpoint before the gun duel ensued.

Unfortunately, bullets hit the fuel tank of the Toyota Venza Sedan carrying the men, and it was razed down. Two innocent passers-by were injured and taken to hospital. The Command sues for calm to allow for investigations into the incident.

Meanwhile, Joint Security Forces have been deployed to ensure Nnewi is calm throughout the burial ceremonies of the late Senator."