In response to rising tensions around the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week.
The decision followed fears of potential violence, with reports of threats from non-state actors to disrupt the event unless certain unresolved issues were addressed.
The situation escalated further on Wednesday evening when gunmen attacked Nnewi, killing several people and setting a vehicle ablaze.
The incident, which occurred around 7:30 pm, created widespread panic as residents fled for safety.
With the burial set for Friday in Umuanuka village, Otolo Nnewi, the state government issued a circular on Thursday directing all schools in the Nnewi zone to shut down until Tuesday next week. Parents were also advised to keep day students at home to ensure their safety.
In the circular, shared through school WhatsApp groups and said to emanate from the state Ministry of Education, school principals were urged to communicate the closure to parents and caution against students wandering in school uniforms during this period.
Though Newspot was unable to reach the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, a school manager said the circular is authentic.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command had refuted claims linking the Nnewi attack to the burial. Police spokesperson, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the attackers were not non-state actors, as speculated.
He insisted that the town was safe, calling on residents of Nnewi to go about their duties without fear.
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