Pandemonium, as student kills Senior Prefect in Onitsha

Confusion best described the mood at Modebe
Secondary School, Onitsha , on Tuesday when
the Senior Prefect, Chukwuebuka Okanume,
was killed by a fellow student over alleged act
of indiscipline.
Daily Independent gathered that trouble
started when the Senior Prefect queried his
assailant (names withheld) a junior student
in SS 1, for flying his shirt while in the school.
The junior student allegedly told him that he
was no longer in the school and that he came
for his transfer certificate to Asaba , Delta
State .
However , the Senior Prefect was said to have
doubted the junior student and a heated
argument ensued resulting in the Senior Prefect
slapping the junior who retaliated with a
blow that hit the late Senior Prefect and
knocked him out .
Probably the ring worn by the junior student
believed to be a potent with a charm made the
boxing escapade with the Senior Prefect a
death sentence and he slumped instantly.
Late Okanume was rushed to a nearby
hospital where he was confirmed dead by the
medical team.
Daily Independent gathered that the family
of Okanume of Uke , Idemili North Local
Government Area, Anambra State, described
the incident as unfortunate wondering why
their son who could not harm a fly was to die
this way.
The principal of the school, Mr . Ralph Machie,
laden with emotions confirmed the incident
but declined further comments.
The Chairman of the Post Primary School
Services Commission Board (PPSSCB) , Mrs Joy
Ulasi , was panic stricken and confused over
the incident that she cancelled off all
engagements and also refused to answer
phone calls.
When contacted, Anambra State Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO ), Mr. Uche Eze , said
that investigation was on going to unravel the
mystery behind the death.
Although the suspect was arrested by the
police , students in and around Onitsha
confirmed some cult members use the charms ,
codenamed “ Etiada” — knock and fall , to
defend themselves when attacked.
Unconfirmed reports had it as well that the
mother of the deceased pleaded with the
junior student to revive her son but the boy
was adamant.
About 10 months ago , a teacher at St John of
God Awka had in a process of disciplining a
student allegedly ‘’killed ’’ the student as he
collapsed after a little reprimand for not
carrying out an assignment .
The innocent but prayerful teacher did all
within her powers to deliver the chap from
dying but all her efforts were proved abortive
as the student died.
Following that incident, the Anambra state
government banned corporal punishment in
any disguise and since them most students
started misbehaving to the extreme , as we
observed.

DAILY INDEPENDENT