Irate youths on Thursday, reportedly invaded the St. Pius X Catholic Grammar School, a boarding school in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, holding the school principal, Rev. Fr. Anthony Banye, hostage for several hours in his office.
The incident, Punch correspondent learnt, occurred as a result of the ongoing construction of perimeter fencing of the school premises as the youths destroyed the portion that had already been constructed.
It was gathered that the suspects who stormed the school in their hundreds threatened further havoc should the school authority continue with the fence without their approval.
The Vice President of the school’s Old Boys’ Association, Chief Austine Nwamu, confirmed the incident to journalists in Asaba, the state capital, stating that the school principal was however later freed after the youths had pulled down the fence.
While lamenting the destruction, Nwamu said the matter had been reported to the traditional ruler in the area and the state police command.
He said, “N16m was estimated to be needed fence the school round and provide adequate protection for the pupils. With this act, N9m has been wasted. We don’t want to engage in a communal war. Something should be done by government and relevant authorities before it degenerates into a serious crisis.”
They noted that the attack on the 50-years- old school was an attack on pupils who attended it from different parts of the country.
When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said he had not been briefed on the incident and promised to contact his men in the area for details.
The incident, Punch correspondent learnt, occurred as a result of the ongoing construction of perimeter fencing of the school premises as the youths destroyed the portion that had already been constructed.
It was gathered that the suspects who stormed the school in their hundreds threatened further havoc should the school authority continue with the fence without their approval.
The Vice President of the school’s Old Boys’ Association, Chief Austine Nwamu, confirmed the incident to journalists in Asaba, the state capital, stating that the school principal was however later freed after the youths had pulled down the fence.
While lamenting the destruction, Nwamu said the matter had been reported to the traditional ruler in the area and the state police command.
He said, “N16m was estimated to be needed fence the school round and provide adequate protection for the pupils. With this act, N9m has been wasted. We don’t want to engage in a communal war. Something should be done by government and relevant authorities before it degenerates into a serious crisis.”
They noted that the attack on the 50-years- old school was an attack on pupils who attended it from different parts of the country.
When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said he had not been briefed on the incident and promised to contact his men in the area for details.
