PHOTOS: Riot At ANSU Over Insecurity

Following series of robbery attacks and so many other threats in the school, the students of Anambra State University (ANSU) Igbariam campus carried out what started as a "near" peaceful demonstration, which later got violent. 

Some of the rioting students

The demonstration was triggered by the death of a student of the department of Mass communications who was shot in her hostel in the late hours of tuesday, 4th June, 2013.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Obikeze and the students

She bled profusely and confirmed dead after her arrival at the hospital due to the fact that there is no standby hospital close to Otoko town where the students resides.

The students on hearing this took to the streets in a bid to show their grief and express their disappointment in the school management in failure to provide adequate security for the students.

Rioting students

It was also gathered from other sources that the students are not protesting just because of the insecurity in the school but also because of the high amount of money they pay per session as their school fees which is  #106,000.

Inspite of this, the school could not boast of good accommodations with good social amenities like social amenities like electricities which will ease the students' academic burdens

A students was shot by security forces during the demonstration.

According to Senator Ebuka Nkwuenu, senator representing the Faculty of Management Sciences in the Students Union Government (SUG) of the school, they tried to calm the rioting students down all to no avail.

The VC, Prof. fidelis Okafor

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fidelis Okafor later arrived the scene with the intention of calming the students down from the directive of the Governor of Anambra state, Governor Peter Obi, but his efforts ere also futile due to the level of the anger of the embittered students.

Senator Ebuka Nkwuenu, senator representingg the Faculty of Management Sciences in the SUG

 

As at the time of this report, the riot has stopped and the school is temporarily out of session till next monday.

Attacks On Nigerians In S/A

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Nnenna Ukeje, has described the renewed attacks on Nigerians in South Africa as distressing.

In a telephone interview in Ibadan on Sunday, the lawmaker said that the renewed attacks came at a time when Nigeria and South Africa had shown commitment to fostering closer relationships.

Ukeje (PDP-Abia), recalled how the two countries in May signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in different spheres of human endeavour.

She said that the agreements should trickle down the citizenry, especially from South Africa and urged Nigerians to remain committed in the knowledge that the government would do everything to protect them.

The lawmaker also commended the South Africa High Commissioner, Mr Louis Mnguni, for his quick intervention and promised to work closely with him until the resolution of the issues.

23 Nigerians in South Africa were forced out of their homes and chased out of Port-Nolloth community on May 26, by some South Africans, who accused the Nigerians of dealing in drugs.

Some Nigerians who spoke with a correspondent in Johannesburg, said that their property were destroyed and looted.

Also, a Nigerian seriously injured in the attack, is still receiving treatment in a hospital in Johannesburg.

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it was still assessing the reported attacks on Nigerians.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Martin Uhomoibhi, said in Abuja on Thursday that “xenophobia under whatever guise is not acceptable.

“We believe that the action of some elements is inconsistent with our relations with South Africa and it does not have the blessings of our governments.’’

The permanent secretary noted that relations between both countries was at its “best forms’’ in recent times.

“Our relations with South Africa are in the best of forms, following the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Cape Town, South Africa and his participation at the World Economic Forum in the country.

“People must learn to work with their government,’’ he stated.

The MoU will make it unnecessary for nationals of both countries holding official or diplomatic passports to acquire visa before travelling to either country. (NAN)

Source: Vanguard Newspapers.