By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Government has shut down Community Secondary School, Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state, over alleged unlawful arrest, torture, and detention of the principal and vice principal by the community’s vigilante group.

The directive was given by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, on Thursday.

According to her, the school would remain closed until safety of the school principals, staff and students were fully guaranteed.

She said invitation has been extended to the Chairman and Secretary of Post Primary Schools Service Commission for an urgent meeting to address the matter.

She added that the board member representing Nnewi zone, zonal director, Nnewi zone, management of the school and the President-General of Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite Town Union, were also invited to the meeting.

While urging the stakeholders to be available and to approach the matter with the highest level of seriousness and urgency, the Commissioner said,

“The state government has directed the immediate and temporary closure of Community Secondary School Awor-Ezimuzor, Ezinifite, Nnewi South LGA.

“The closure follows disturbing report of the unlawful arrest, torture and detention of the principal and vice principal of the school.

“They were detained for three days by the community’s vigilante group without access to food, water or toilet facilities.

“The closure is to ensure the safety and security of the students, who are already traumatised by the event, even as they continue writing their Basic Education Certificate Examination and West African School Certificate Examination.

“This directive will remain effective until the safety of the principal, staff and students are fully guaranteed."