Akanu Ibiam Poly Shutdown Over Land Dispute With Host Community

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

From Ignatius Okpara, Abakaliki – The Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana Afikpo, Ebonyi state has been shut down over a land dispute that surfaced between the school authorities and the host community.

Rector of the institution Prof Ogbonna Ibe-Enwo, who announced the closure on Tuesday said the management took the decision for security reasons.

He condemned the community’s attack on the school, saying they could have dialogued instead of resorting to violence.

The school boss, said the Polytechnic will be re-opened when normalcy returns, just as he asked the students to vacate the school premises for their safety.

The Rector said the management would dialogue with the host community to find a lasting solution to the feud.

African Examiner gathered that no fewer than 1,000 angry youths from the community, armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons had invaded the school premises, destroying properties and beating students to stupor.

They were protesting what they described as invasion of their land by the school despite warnings from the community.

As a result of the development, students hurriedly departed the school for fear of uncertainty.