Monkey pox rumour: Schools remain shut in Imo, Anambra
Val Okara, Owerri & John Ndu, Awka
Following the rumour of soldiers of the Nigerian Army injecting Monkey Pox virus on school pupils in Imo State on Wednesday, all the private schools remained under lock and key. Our correspondent who went round the Owerri, the state capital, observed that public schools recorded low turnout of students.
Meanwhile, sequel to the recent pandemonium in Anambra State over the alleged controversy that the Army was injecting the Monkey Pox virus on school children, many schools in the state are still under lock and key.
Daily Times reports that management of some of the private schools in Imo state has directed their students and pupils to stay back at home and report back to school on next week Monday.
According to the headmistress of one of the private schools at Work Layout, Owerri who pleaded anonymity, the decision to give their students two days break wasto calm the nerves of the Wednesday pandemonium.
“In fact, the rumour was so terrible that we could not resist the pressure of parents who came to pick their children and wards. The parents rained insults on us.
“The security agents could not help matters ad they came with guns to pick their children thereby creating more panic.”
The rumour had it on Wednesday that armed soldiers had invaded schools in the state with the aim of injecting “Monkey Pox” vaccine on schools pupils in disguise of immunization programme.
The rumour which spread like wide fire triggered panic and pandemonium in schools as well as forcing parents to abandon their duty posts to collect their children.
When contacted, a parent of five in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Mr. Fidelis Okafor, said he ordered his children and wards to stay at home to ensure safety of the children.
According to him “I went to bring my children from school yesterday because of what was going on. I stopped them from going to school until the state government assures us of the safety of our children.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Anambra state, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, had in his press release debunked the rumour and urged people to go about doing their businesses.
