Anambra Police Shot Four Protesting Students

By Ignatius Okpara, Onitsha – At least, four students of the Federal Government-owned Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI), Onitsha were Thursday allegedly shot by the police with one in critical condition during a violent protest staged by the students.

The students started violent protest over poor hostel accommodation and rejection of the school’s Diploma certificate by other Federal institutions, among other agitations.

Trouble however, started in the school when some graduates of the institution, who had gone to the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, to further their studies were rejected by the school and allegedly chased out by security agents, on the ground that MTI Diploma Certificate was not recognized by the Petroleum Training Institute, which is also a Federal Government institution.

The affected students returned to MTI in anger, organized themselves and delegated the Students’ Union Executive and some of their respected colleagues to approach Director of the school, Mr. I. I. Okonkwo, on the development.

AFRICAN EXAMINER learnt that on reaching the Director’s office, the students delegation were reportedly turned back by the school’s boss, who was also accused of not showing enough concern to the plight of the students.

Irked by the refusal of the Director, to give them positive response, the aggrieved students, immediately mobilized themselves, and began violent riot.

They had during the protest allegedly vandalized some of the school property such as Plasma TV and Computer sets.

Our Correspondent gathered that no fewer than 15 vehicles belonging to staff and management of the institution were damaged during the protest.

Sensing danger, the institute’s Chief, reportedly ran into his office with some senior staff of the school in a bid to escape the students’ wrath.

The protesting students also paralyzed economic activities in the commercial city, as they trooped into the main road and blocked the ever busy Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

It took efforts of the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Hosea Karma, who led other police officers and men from Awada, Okpoko and Obosi Divisions to calm the situation.

The four students allegedly hit by the police bullet were said to be receiving medical attention in an unknown hospital in the Onitsha.