Armed youths from Igbodo community, on Thursday allegedly invaded the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachickwu’s alma mater, St. Pius Xth 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 and students captive for several hours before destroying the school perimeter fence worth about N9 million.
HardReporters 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 irate 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.
Addressing the press in Asaba, Delta state capital, the Vice President of the school’s Old Boys’ Association, Mr. Austine Nwamu, supported by other members, including Sir Awazia Eyimofor, Charles Ogodi and Mr. Ogorchukwu Nwaolor, lamented the action of the Igbodo irate youths and the destruction, describing it as “a downright attack on the destiny of the students.”
Nwamu, expressed displeasure that 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 irate youths and called on relevant security agencies to arrest and bring to book those involved in the unholy act.
“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.”
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).
HardReporters 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 persons.
