Students Crisis: Akwa Ibom State Government shuts down school

The Government of Akwa Ibom State has ordered the indefinite closure of the Government Technical College, Ewet Offot, Uyo, following an outbreak of violence amongst the students on Wednesday.

The closure of the school was announced by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Nse Essien, in a press statement on Thursday.

“Government Technical College, Ewet, Uyo, is hereby shut down indefinitely and all the students are advised to vacate the school premises with immediate effect,” the statement read.

The statement also directed that staff of the college should “continue to report for duty.”

Some students of the school on went on rampage, destroying property and inflicting injuries on staff and members of the public.

Two teachers were injured during the fracas, with one of them sustaining injuries to his eyes, while a police officer, who was also attacked, has been hospitalised.

While the cause of the crisis remains unknown, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi, who visited the school, revealed that investigations were ongoing, adding that those arrested will be prosecuted, while the underaged students among them will be charged to juvenile courts.

11 students have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, while 34 others suspected to been involved, have been suspended indefinitely.