The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Community Secondary School, Awor-Ezimuzor, located in Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area, following the alleged unlawful arrest and torture of the school’s principal and vice principal by members of the local vigilante group.
This was announced on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable. She said the school will remain shut until the safety of the school’s staff and students can be guaranteed.
According to the Commissioner, the two senior school officials were reportedly arrested by the community vigilante, held in detention for three days, and denied access to food, water, and toilet facilities during that period.
“The state government has directed the immediate and temporary closure of Community Secondary School, Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite, Nnewi South LGA,” the Commissioner said.
“This closure follows a disturbing report of the unlawful arrest, torture, and detention of the principal and vice principal by the community’s vigilante group. We cannot allow our educators and students to operate in an unsafe environment,” she added.
She noted that the traumatic experience had affected students, especially as they are currently sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“The students are already traumatised, and their well-being must come first,” she said.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Education has invited several key stakeholders to an emergency meeting. Those summoned include the Chairman and Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, the board member representing the Nnewi zone, the zonal director of the Nnewi zone, school management, and the President-General of the Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite Town Union.
Prof. Chuma-Udeh urged them to treat the issue with the utmost seriousness and urgency, stressing that education officials and teachers must be protected while carrying out their duties.
Vigilante groups are common in many Nigerian communities, often playing a role in maintaining local security. However, concerns about abuse of power and lack of oversight have grown, especially when such groups act outside legal boundaries.
The incident in Ezinifite has raised fresh questions about the limits of vigilante authority and the need for better regulation to prevent unlawful detentions and abuses.
As of press time, the Anambra State Government had not disclosed the exact reason the school officials were targeted by the vigilante group. However, the state insists that investigations are underway and the safety of school staff and students will remain the government’s top priority.
The school will remain closed until a decision is made based on the outcome of the investigation and the emergency meeting.
