The Akwa Ibom State Government has ordered the closure of the Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Aka Offot, in Uyo Local Government Area, following the death of an SSS2 pupil, James Elijah, by a suspected cultist, Samuel Archibong.
Archibong, an ex-pupil of the school who was expelled for cult-related issues, stabbed Elijah, 18, on Thursday, .according to reports.
According to a source, the two had a minor disagreement, and during the ensuing scuffle, Archibong allegedly pulled out a knife, stabbed his victim to death, and fled.
“He ran away after stabbing James to death. Those angry pupils would have killed him if they had met him at home. They must have gone to his father’s house to avenge their colleague’s death’,” the source in the school said.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, while condemning the incident ordered that the institution be shut to enable the State Secondary Education Board and the Ministry of Education to wade into the matter and restore calm.
“We advised parents to ensure their wards remain indoors until the ministry and the school wade into the matter to restore normalcy,” Etiebet said.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon who confirmed the incident, said the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, condemned the barbaric act.