By Theresa Donatus, Uyo
Residents of Ekit Itam 11 in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have sent a heartfelt SOS to Governor Umo Eno, following a string of criminal activities at St. Domino’s Primary School.
It was gathered that Hoodlums have reportedly dismantled and stolen roofing sheets and iron protectors from the school, leaving the facility exposed and vulnerable.
A visit to the school revealed that all the iron protectors along the fence and gatehouse had been removed, making it easier for intruders to access the premises.
The Village Head of Ekit Itam, Eteidung Aloysius Ebong, shared the community’s frustrations while speaking from his residence.
He explained that the theft of these protective fixtures had left the school dangerously exposed. Although outsiders might believe the school is fully fenced, Ebong pointed out that there is no perimeter fence behind the school, making it accessible from multiple entry points.
The issue, according to Ebong, traces back to the construction of the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Highway when Julius Berger built a fence along the school’s frontage but left the rest of the area unprotected.
As a result, the school has become a frequent passage for many people, including those with questionable intentions. “It has become difficult to tell who’s here for good reasons and who’s here for criminal activities,” he said.
Despite several letters sent to the state government requesting help, the community’s appeals have gone unanswered.
The Village Head also expressed his concern over the lack of action to protect the school’s property, adding that the Ministry of Education has granted permission to four religious organizations to use the school compound for their activities. This has led to increased foot traffic, further complicating security efforts.
Chief Emmanuel Ebong, Chairman of the Village Council, also highlighted the growing issue of scavengers searching for metal to steal, further exacerbating the problem.
“These scavengers are so persistent that we’ve had to set up night patrols to safeguard the school, But even with our surveillance, something always goes missing. They’re always lurking around,” he said
The situation took a more alarming turn when Mr. Dominic Edem, a youth leader in the area, recalled an incident where a suspect was caught attempting to steal roofing materials from the school.
The suspect reportedly threatened the youths who apprehended him, but despite their efforts to bring the thief to justice, the case was eventually abandoned due to financial and logistical challenges.
In addition to these challenges, Head Teacher Mr. Courage Sunny Udom expressed growing fears over the increasing criminal activity in the area.
Udom has been personally threatened by the vandals and noted that the lack of a solid fence has turned the school into a shortcut for community members, especially at night. “I’m even afraid to put ceiling fans in my office because they might steal them,” he said.
He identified scavengers as the primary culprits, describing them as highly hostile and disruptive.
Despite the difficulties, Udom praised the efforts of the village council and local youths who have been working tirelessly to protect the school to the best of their abilities.
The residents of Ekit Itam 11 are now urgently calling on Governor Umo Eno to intervene and ensure that proper security measures are put in place to safeguard the school and its property from further vandalism and theft.