Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered a week-long closure of schools in the Nnewi zone due to security concerns surrounding the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
The move comes after threats from non-state actors to disrupt activities unless unresolved issues are addressed before the burial. Tensions increased on Wednesday night when gunmen attacked Nnewi, killing several people and setting a vehicle on fire. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m., sparked widespread panic, with residents fleeing the area.
Senator Ubah’s burial is set for Friday in his hometown, Umuanuka village, Otolo Nnewi. To ensure safety, the state government issued a directive through WhatsApp to schools, instructing them to remain closed from Thursday to Tuesday next week. Parents of day students were urged to keep their children at home and warned against students loitering in uniforms.
While there was speculation that the attack was related to the burial, the Anambra State Police Command denied the claims. Police spokesman, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, clarified that the shooting was linked to a confrontation at a security checkpoint during a pursuit of a suspect. The incident resulted in a Toyota Venza Sedan catching fire, injuring two bystanders, who are receiving medical attention.
The police assured the public that security has been reinforced in Nnewi, with Joint Security Forces (JSF) deployed to maintain peace during the burial. Ikenga urged residents to stay calm and allow authorities to complete their investigations, adding that the incident was unrelated to Senator Ubah’s burial.
Despite these assurances, tension remains high in Nnewi as the community prepares for the burial amid heightened security and uncertainty.
