There has been reports of a riot occurring today at the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo. The incident which began brewing as from yesterday, and confirmed by a SchoolGist Staff today, was said to have been carried out by the Villagers of Ohaji Egbema over issues of Land Acquisition by the Imo State Government.
The Imo State Polytechnic, had early scheduled the 2013/2014 Matriculation this very day (25th Jan) but the entire ceremony was disrupted by the protest.
According to the eye witness of this report, below is the statement of how it all occurred;
"Early in the morning yesterday, villagers of Ohaji Egbema stormed the school premises and started to set canopies in front of the school gate. After a while into the set-up, security personnel came to the scence and began pulling down the canopies.
In retaliation, the angry villagers started to destroy some of the equipment near the school. In order to control the protesters, the security men began shooting sporadically into the air, causing a commotion as the villagers began running for their dear life.
After the retreat, they can back to the school gate and wrote "No More Matric". A banner which was also pasted at the school gate had an inscription saying "Owelle (meaning Imo State Governor) leave our land for us".
At the early hours of today, the Matric day, they also came to the school. As am writing now they are still in front of the school playing music while the security men are there to make sure that no body is injured.
Some freshers who came with their parents are just standing there in total confusion, while some other freshers who came with their matric gown are busy taking photographs with it.
The villagers said they are waiting for the governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
A government official, representing the governor was sent to the school but the people of umuagwo pelted him with sachet water. They said that they will stay their until his excellency visits the school and talks to them."
The Nigerian students of Imo Poly umuagwo are not happy especially those who are to be matriculated today being 24th January after it has been earlier postponed from 17th January.
The school is still mute on if at all there will be another matriculation ceremony for the 2013/2014 academic session.
Someone help us.
