By Editor
Students who are candidates in the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in Awka and its environs, on Thursday, disguised as water fetchers to beat sit-at-home order of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
It was also gathered that the palpable fear in the state followed the declaration of the Biafran day by IPOB with a sit-at-home order, coinciding with the day students sitting for the May/June WAEC examinations are taking mathematics subjects 1&2.
Though Anambra State Police Command had waved the threat of mayhem for defaulters of the order by IPOB, residents of Awka were still in fear as shops at major markets including Eke Awka were under lock and key.
Also, most students, especially candidates sitting for the examination at Igwebuike Grammar School Awka and St John’s School, Amemyi Awka were seen as early as 7.45 am wearing plain clothes, disguising themselves to enter their schools for the examination.
Some of them were seen carrying empty gallons pretending to be going to fetch water only to make swift entry into the school. Some girls were also seen carrying buckets on their heads like they were going to fetch water and they entered into their schools where they changed into their school uniform.
Meanwhile, the gates of Igwebuike Grammar School were locked with only one little entrance opened for students to come in.
A gateman at Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka who pleaded anonymity said students who came from far places where the sit-at-home order was much obeyed were mostly the students who wore mufti clothes to school.
“They are afraid, some of them are coming from far places and that is why you see them wearing mufti so when they come inside the school, they’ll change into the school uniform.”
“Some of these girls you see carrying buckets on their heads are all candidates sitting for the exams. The buckets on their heads contain their school uniform, when they get to their school they will change into their uniforms. They did this to disguise because of fear.”
However, a parent who brought her son on a motorcycle to Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, Mrs Ngozi Madichie, expressed sadness over the situation, adding that the situation will affect the students’ performance in the subject.
She expressed fears that the psychological effect of the order would affect the performance of the students in the subject.
“These children are already agitated, some of them may even miss this subject because of fear and those who eventually make it to the hall will be psychologically down and it will surely affect the results.”
On his part, a teacher at the school who did not want his name in print said the whole issue will affect the results of the students in the entire South East.
“It is terrible and my fear is that it is mathematics that they are taking today. Of all the subjects, it is today that these children are sitting for mathematics that this rubbish is coming up. Mathematics is not a subject you can toy with, it requires total concentration and calmness, but see as these children have been jolted and see the fears in their eyes, it will surely lead to mass failure in mathematics across the region,” she opined.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it has taken cognizance of the activities of criminal elements disseminating threatening voice-overs and violent videos in an attempt to enforce illegal sit-at-home directives and instil fear among the residents of Anambra state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toochukwu Ikenga, said it was imperative to inform the public that actionable intelligence indicated that individuals enforcing the order fabricated threatening voice-over recordings and circulated outdated videos of violent incidents, some of which did not occur within the state or even the country.
“The Command is fully aware of these secessionist’s activities and urges the law-abiding citizens of Anambra to disregard such propaganda. Rest assured, the Police, along with other security agencies, have mobilized law enforcement resources to ensure the safety and security of every citizen in the state.
“As a recent example, on May 29, 2024, at approximately 2:00 PM, Police operatives laid an ambush on miscreants along Oba flyover in Idemili South. This led to the interception of a gang of four armed men operating on motorbikes.
“During the encounter, one miscreant was apprehended, while the other three managed to evade capture, sustaining bullet injuries in the process. The operatives recovered a locally made Barreta pistol, four expended cartridges, two phones, and incriminating evidence indicative of unpatriotic and disloyal behaviour towards the Nigerian government”
“In light of these developments, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, assures the people of Anambra State that their safety remains the utmost priority of the Police Command.”
Also at Nnewi, despite the IPOB threat, the WAECSSCE Mathematics examination still took place.
When our Correspondent went around the town, schools like Fountain of Wisdom, and Good Shepherd, among others were busy writing the WAEC exam.
The security guards at the schools visited said they experienced no disruption of any kind.
But apart from that, every other establishment in Nnewi was closed including the Nkwo Nnewi market, banks, private companies, and even the street traders were off their business areas in compliance with the order.
Some residents said they expected security operatives to be parading at strategic areas including the local vigilante groups, adding, however, that none was seen anywhere.
The town, however, became busy again a little bit after 5 pm.
