...Calls on Enugu State Government, Security Operatives to Take Swift Action on Kidnapped and Injured Students
...Demands Immediate Shutdown of the School
According to reports, the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the institution in the late hours of the day, causing chaos and leaving several students with severe injuries. The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of students, especially in rural areas, where security is often minimal.
This tragic event comes on the heels of repeated outcries by the students of the school, who have long called for a perimeter fence and other basic social amenities that are lacking in the school. Despite these pleas, the institution remains vulnerable to such attacks.
In an official press statement signed by the Chairman of NANS Enugu State, Comrade Prisca Okeke, the students' body expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in the region, particularly the increasing attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen. The statement underscores the gravity of the situation and calls for immediate and decisive action from both the state government and security agencies.
Below is the full text of the official press statement issued by NANS:
OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ATTACK OF ENUGU STATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH OJI-RIVER BY FULANI HERDSMEN
"We bring you greetings from the leadership of The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Enugu State Chapter. The apex students organization housing and championing the interest of Nigerian students in Enugu State.
The Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS Enugu State has condemned the issue of our communities being attacked by these dangerously armed Fulani herdsmen which is gradually becoming a reoccurring incident in this part of Nigeria, and we will not keep quiet and allow this to get to our campuses, especially the tertiary institutions in the rural areas.
We sympathize with the entire Students of Enugu State College of Health Oji-River, especially the immediate family and friends of the injured and kidnapped students. It is indeed sad that the students around the environment had to go through this traumatic experience. The leadership of the organization has been in touch with all security agencies in the state, and we have been assured that all security measures are being implemented to remedy the situation.
OUR DEMANDS:
NANS demands that heads of security agencies should intensify their efforts towards rescuing the kidnapped students.
Heads of Security agencies should ensure maximum provision of security around all campuses, especially those in the rural areas.
We call on the Executive Governor of Enugu State for urgent intervention in the affected school, ESCOHTECH, as we have severally made a case for improvement in the environmental condition of this institution, especially by providing a fence around the school compound to help properly manage entry and exit.
NANS declares a state of emergency in ESCOHTECH and demands that the School should be shut down immediately till further notice to enable security investigations and assurance that the school environment is safe for both students and staff.
In conclusion, NANS is using this opportunity to reach out to all the students in our various campuses to be self-security conscious by being observant of the activities going on in your environment and reporting any unusual or suspicious activity/movement around you.
Education is a right, not a privilege. We remain resolute in our clamor for better education systems in Nigeria.
Yours in struggle,
Comr. Prisca Okeke
NANS JCC Chairman Enugu State
Cc:
Executive Governor Enugu State
Commissioner of Police Enugu State
Director DSS Enugu State
GOC 82 Division Enugu State
Provost ESCOHTECH
NANS President"
The statement has stirred reactions from various stakeholders who have also called on the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of students across the state. There is growing fear that without swift action, such incidents may become more frequent, leading to further loss of lives and disruption of academic activities.
NANS has also declared a state of emergency at the Enugu State College of Health, Oji River, and has demanded the immediate shutdown of the institution to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure that the environment is safe for both students and staff before academic activities can resume.
The students' body has emphasized the need for increased security presence in all educational institutions, particularly those located in rural areas, to prevent future occurrences of such attacks. They have also reiterated their call for the Enugu State Government to address the infrastructural deficiencies in the affected institution, which they believe contributed to the vulnerability of the students and staff.
It was reported that the family of one of the kidnapped students, Egwuonwu Happiness Anurika who studies environmental health expressed fear of losing their child in the devastating incident.
The families of the kidnapped students and teachers are hoping for their swift and safe return, while the injured students are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The entire academic community in Enugu State is watching closely, hoping that this incident will finally lead to the much-needed improvements in the security and infrastructure of educational institutions in the state.
