MOUAU Staff Recount Escape from Student Fury During Tuition Protest

In the wake of the violent protest at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), staff members have come forward to share their harrowing experiences of narrowly escaping the fury and attacks unleashed by protesting students.

Despite the university management's assertion that the protest was orchestrated by miscreants, staff members have alleged a different narrative, detailing how they fled through a bush path behind the school premises to evade the wrath of the mob.

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Igwe Azubuike Chizoba and Mrs. Ngozi Olundu, a lecturer, recounted their terrifying ordeal, highlighting the chaos and danger they faced amidst the protest. Mrs. Olundu revealed that her colleagues who remained in the offices were subjected to merciless beatings by the enraged students.

Describing her escape, Mrs. Olundu stated, "When I heard that the Vice Chancellor’s vehicle had been barricaded and destructions were going on around the school, I quickly abandoned my office and ran towards the bush path, eventually finding refuge in the neighboring community of Oboro, Ikwuano LGA."

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Additionally, Patrick Opara, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of MOUAU, reported being evacuated from the school premises as "miscreants" wreaked havoc on school property.

Upon inspection of the university grounds on Wednesday morning, evidence of destruction was widespread, with debris littering the environment. The largest examination hall, known as Three Hall, was set ablaze, along with damage to various other facilities including the road median, Students Union Government (SUG) office, electric poles, school chairs, library building, school field, part of the Access bank building, and school vehicles.

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Security measures were visibly heightened, with stern-looking policemen stationed in strategic locations around the university, including in front of the Vice Chancellor's office and adjacent banks.

While the university management is still assessing the extent of the destruction, they maintain that the rioters were not genuine students but rather "miscreants" who disrupted ongoing examinations.

The aftermath of the protest underscores the tension and challenges faced by both staff and students amidst the unrest at MOUAU.