A newly renovated primary school in Otukpo Local Government Area has been vandalised by hoodlums just days after its upgrade, sparking outrage among residents and local authorities.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, saw vandals target a block of classrooms and the school’s newly constructed public convenience at St. Mary’s Primary School, carting away fittings and other installations.
Condemning the attack, the Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Maxwell Ogiri, described the incident as a direct assault on public property and the collective aspirations of the people of Otukpo.
“This criminal act is an attack on public assets and the development efforts of the council. Such acts of sabotage will not be tolerated,” the chairman said.
Ogiri disclosed that security agencies had launched an investigation and were already tracking those responsible, expressing confidence that the perpetrators would soon be apprehended and prosecuted. He also announced the deployment of additional security personnel to St. Mary’s Primary School and other recently renovated public facilities across the local government to prevent further acts of vandalism.
The council chairman sympathised with the headmistress, staff, and pupils of the school, assuring them that the unfortunate incident would not deter his administration from investing in education and other public infrastructure. He stressed that safeguarding government facilities is a collective responsibility, urging citizens to work with authorities to preserve public assets for the benefit of present and future generations.
Ogiri further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies. Despite the setback, the council remains committed to providing quality educational facilities and delivering development projects across Otukpo.
