Two feared dead in masquerades, students clash at Oko Polytechnic

Two students were yesterday feared dead after masquerades in Oko community allegedly attacked students of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra state in their hostels outside the campus.

However, students of the school, Monday morning took to the streets to protest the alleged killing. According to an eyewitness, the masquerades attacked the students in their off-campus hostels also called 'lodges' located in the community.The source who pleaded anonymity said, two students died in the attack while many others were injured.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview, the Rector of institution, Professor Godwin Onu said there was a clash between students and youths after the masquerades' attack but stated that no death has been reported so far.

He disclosed that the School Management and the leaders of the community are leaving no stone unturned in order to calm the situation, adding that Mobile policemen from Awka and soldiers from Onitsha have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.

According to him, "seven students sustained varying degrees of injury and they have been treated and discharged."

On the alleged setting ablaze, the home of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, the Rector described it as untrue. "I spoke with the Igwe of this community now and he said nothing of such happened".

Anambra Masquerade (Ijele)