Students in the south-eastern region of Nigeria face setbacks as IPOBs sit at home order clashes with their WAEC date for Mathematics exam.
The Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) had earlier issued warnings and threats of a total lockdown and compulsory stay-at-home in the entire southeast region of Nigeria on the 30th of May. This day is set aside to commemorate and celebrate the fallen heroes of Biafra who passed between 1967 and 1970.
This day also coincides with the WAEC set date for the mathematics paper for students in junior secondary school. WAEC is a compulsory certificate required for students as evidence that they have completed their junior secondary education and can move to senior secondary classes. The inability of these students to write Mathematics, a major and compulsory subject for all students pose a great disadvantage for them.
The Public relations officer in Anambra state police command had earlier issued a statement that the citizens should disregard the information of the Sit at home, that they will ensure their safety in the state.
The statement from the Police Public Relations Officer reads: “The Anambra State Police Command has become cognizant 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”.
“It is imperative to inform the public that actionable intelligence indicates that these individuals, in their bid to enforce the unlawful sit-at-home order, fabricate threatening voice-over recordings and circulate outdated videos of violent incidents, some of which did not occur within the state or even the country”.
He continued:
“The Command is fully aware of these secessionist 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”.
He cited an example:
“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”.
He ended by saying: “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.”
This news however did not quail the fears of the people as netizens on social media complained of their sibling not being able to go to school to sit for their paper today.
Photo credit: Chimaobi Nwaiwu
Chude on Nnamdi posted on X that “whoever is stopping students from taking their WAEC examination (mathematics papers) today in the southeast states in the name of whatever is an enemy of the people. Education is a priority even in war. An act that should be condemned by all. IPOB should be ashamed of themselves”.
Oyinkansola posted on X that “IPOB has stopped children from going to write their exams. Why is everyone quiet?”
Photo credit: Chimaobi Nwaiwu
In Nigeria, the BECE/JSCE is a necessary document to apply for any government job in the country. It ia also the only certificate that proves one has acquired basic education. It also qualifies one to go to senior secondary classes. Either fear of clashes, repercussions, or respect for the day, forced the people in the southeast to comply to their Biafran holiday.
