Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Organised Labour in Ebonyi State has petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru over the gruesome murder of a principal and a teacher at Nkaleke, Ebonyi LGA, by hoodlums.
The groups urged the governor to direct security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators.
They made this known during a courtesy call on the governor by the state chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
NLC Chairman, Ogugua Egwu, while lamenting the killings called for arrests and prosecution of the killers by security agencies.
He said: “The quality of life of teachers is poor, their work environments are being threatened by the flamboyance of our nationality, and communities no longer support the safety of teachers.
“On Friday, 13th October, 2023, we lost two teachers, including a principal. They were gruesomely murdered in the line of duty at Nkaleke, Ebonyi L.G.A.
“We use this medium to ask you, Sir, to ensure that the security agencies bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to other haters of teachers.”
It was gathered that the killers suspected to be assassins invaded Nkaleke Achara Community Secondary School in Ebonyi Local government Area of Ebonyi State, and shot dead the principal, Simon Ominyi, popularly known as “Osmosis.”
The assailants after pumping bullets into the about 50-year-old principal also murdered a yet-to-be named teacher in the school.
The incident caused tension in the area, raising concerns whether students and teachers would still return to the school.
The community has been completely deserted as its leaders and stakeholders fled perhaps for fear of further attack or arrest by security agencies.
Sources in the area said there was no trouble in the community before the gunmen stormed the school in a tricycle and murdered the duo.
The source disclosed that the miscreants arrived the school premises as if they were on a genuine mission, inquired about the principal’s office from someone who led them to a distance before pointing at the office. But shortly after, they began to shoot sporadically.
“Immediately the assassins found their way into the principal’s office, they commanded the man and his guests from WAEC office to lie down and Mr Ominyi having sensed the danger, complied without hesitation.
“But surprisingly, in spite of the principal’s plea and non-resistance to their order, they still shot him to death on the spot,” he said.
It was further learnt that the gunmen shot another person on the leg and before making away with his motorcycle.
Police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident.
She said Police has launched an investigation with a view to arresting the killers.
