Sit-at-Home: Private, mission schools closed over gunmen attacks in Anambra
The Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State has intensified following recent attacks across the state. In response, private and mission schools that had been operating on Mondays have suspended classes until further notice.
The Catholic Education Council issued a directive, citing security concerns, announcing that schools would no longer hold on Mondays. Students were advised to stay home and resume on Tuesday, November 26, reports Vanguard.
However, Senior Secondary School (SSS3) students are expected to attend school on Mondays and Saturdays for special lessons, without uniforms. The council expressed appreciation to parents and guardians who completed their payments as expected and urged them to share the message with others.
The decision came after reports of threats by unknown individuals to attack school buses and institutions that remained open on Mondays. In response to these threats, commercial activities in Anambra were also affected, with traders at Awka’s main market hurriedly closing their shops after hearing that gunmen were targeting the market.
The Anambra Innovation Week, which commenced on Monday, saw a low turnout, as participants from across the state could not attend due to security fears. The state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, officially declared the week open, and full attendance is expected to resume on Tuesday.
In another incident, unidentified gunmen attacked operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Service along Amesi-Uga Road in Aguata Local Government Area. One vigilante member was injured, and their vehicle was set on fire. Police responded swiftly, rescuing the injured officer and taking them to the hospital for treatment. The police secured the scene to prevent further criminal activity and have increased patrols in the area, focusing on intelligence-led operations to apprehend the attackers.
Additionally, police operatives from the Okpoko Divisional Police responded to a fire outbreak at Chukwunonso Street, Okpoko. The area was cordoned off to prevent looting, and fire service personnel quickly controlled the situation. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
