Federal college under siege as robbers kill one, attack 54 workers

HUNDREDS of workers of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State yesterday took to the roads in the area to protest what they described as the incessant armed robbery attacks on them. At the last count, 54 workers of the institution residing in the community had been attacked and one, Mr. Sunny Ike, died as a result of gunshot wound inflicted on him when the robbers attacked his home. His body is still in a mortuary at Umunze.

A female staff of the institution, who was robbed recently while she was attending a church service, was sent a text message to keep N2 million for the robbers, or count herself dead because, as the robbers allegedly claimed, not much was collected from her house. During the robbery in her house, she lost her laptop, a smart phone and some cash, which the robbers considered too

 small.

On many occasions since this year, commercial banks in Umunze have had to close shop for many days due to frequent armed robbery attacks and workers travelled to other towns to cash their salaries.

Clad in black attire, the workers marched through the major roads in the town and later visited the palace of the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Promise Eze, the secretariat of Orumba South Local Government Area and the home of the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu, who, apart from being in charge of security in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, hails from Umunze.

The protesters displayed placards with inscription such as, “Enough is enough”, “We pay our tax, please give us security”, “How many will die before silence is broken?”, “Government, fish out robbers in this community”, “Umunze is under siege, please come to our rescue”, “Obiano, you are working but robbers are killing us”, and “What did we do wrong?”

Chairman of the institution’s branch of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, Dr. A.T. Nwamaradi said all the workers residing in Umunze no longer sleep with their eyes closed because they were the main target of the robbers.

He said: “We are living in danger. Life is gift from God, but it is unfortunate that some people are threatening our lives on a daily basis.

“As part of our frustration with the entire security situation of the college, we chose to protest to press home our dissatisfaction and to alert security agencies and the government of Anambra State.

“We decided to protest because we are under siege. We are not doing this for ourselves as even others who are not working in the college are beginning to feel the heat and facing the danger.”

According to him, many staff of the college had to relocate to other neighbouring communities or even Awka which is over 60 kilometers away, adding that residing too far from the town also had its disadvantages as the robbers often waylay the workers on the way while going to or returning from work.

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