MONDAY March 31, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
The people of Ekit Itam 11 in the Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to Governor Umo Eno over the activities of hoodlums who have vandalised the community school and carted away roofing sheets and iron protectors.
A visit to St. Domino’s Primary School showed that all iron protectors fixed on the fence and gatehouse have been removed by hoodlums, leaving the school bare and easily accessible.
The Village Head of Ekit Itam, Eteidung Aloysius Ebong, sent the message while at his place, lamenting that hoodlums have stolen all the iron protectors fixed on the perimeter fence of the community primary school located along the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene highway.
He stated that though the impression from outsiders is that the entire school compound had been fenced round, the truth was that the school is a thoroughfare for all manners of people as there was no fence behind the school.
According to him, the problem of St. Dominic’s School Ekit Itam 11 started when the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Highway was constructed and the Company, Julius Berger, decided to fence the frontage of the school compound, leaving the surrounding areas.
The royal father lamented that activities of hoodlums in the school have been on the increase, as the school can be accessed from all areas of the community, adding that it is difficult to differentiate people with good intentions from criminals passing through the school compound.
According to him, the community has written several letters to the state government but all to no avail.
The Village Head also lamented that nothing was being done to secure the school property, but the Ministry of Education is alleged to have given approval to four religious groups to make use of the school’s compound.
He explained that persons are always found at odd hours at the school premises claiming to be having religious activities.
Collaborating, the Village Council Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ebong, said the issue assumed a worrisome status when activities of scavengers became more rampant in the community, searching for “condemned irons” and ready to make way with metal objects, even fixed iron widows, protectors, signages, etc.
“The issue has become so intense that we, the village Council members and youth have to mount surveillance at night. Even then, if you leave or sleep a little, something will be missed because they are also not sleeping.
“There was an announcement that all public schools on the main road will be fenced round, but that has not happened yet.
The front of the school was fenced by Julius Berger, and it is causing more harm than good because it covers their activities from passersby.
One of the youth leaders, Mr Dominic Edem, recounted how a suspect was caught vandalising school roofing sheets, and he threatened to deal with the youths who apprehended him.
“When we finally overpowered him, he was taken to the police station. We spent so much money trying to prosecute the matter, even though the suspect was caught in the act.
At the end of the day, we had to abandon the case because we could not continue anymore,
The Head Teacher, Mr. Courage Sunny Udom, expressed fears over criminal activities in the school, saying he has been threatened on several occasions by the hoodlums.
He complained about the porous security situation in the school, saying that the lack of a perimeter fence has made the school a thoroughfare for people crossing the field even at night, as a shortcut to their houses.
“I am even afraid to fix ceiling fans in my office because they may break in to steal. The prime suspects in this whole issue are the “iron condemned” people (scavengers), and they are very hostile.”
The Head Teacher commended Village Council members in Ekit Itam 11 for their unwavering support to ensure that the school property and the compound are protected to the best of their abilities.
