Residents of the Mburubu community in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State are living in fear following an attack by suspected thugs on the Community High School on December 5, 2025. Locals described the attack as a deliberate, politically motivated assault linked to a dispute over traditional leadership.
According to eyewitnesses, the intruders stormed the school during school hours, vandalizing classrooms and destroying more than 30 desks, chairs, and teaching materials. The incident left students traumatized and teachers distraught, disrupting educational activities throughout the community.
Residents widely see the attack as part of a protracted conflict over the election of the traditional ruler. This dispute has deeply divided local factions and intensified tensions in recent months. Witnesses allege that the armed youths involved in the incident are aligned with powerful political actors seeking to influence the chieftainship process.
Several villagers claimed that the group responsible is linked to the Enugu State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Engineer Lawrence Ezeh—an accusation the commissioner has denied. Despite the denial, community members maintain that the attackers have long acted as enforcers in the leadership dispute.
Elders noted that the violence related to the dispute has persisted for months, evolving into what many describe as a campaign of intimidation against opponents of the commissioner’s preferred candidate for the traditional position. Some residents alleged that the attackers had previously engaged in similar acts while operating in Port Harcourt before relocating to Mburubu.
During previous unrest related to the police chief crisis, officers from the Special Weapons and Tactics unit were deployed to the community, but locals say the security presence failed to deter the escalating violence.
Following the latest attack, some suspects reportedly confessed during police questioning that they had the support of influential figures in the community, further fueling public concern about orchestrated acts of violence.
Despite community appeals and repeated complaints to the authorities, many of the attackers remain at large. The Area Commander in Agbani confirmed that investigations are ongoing and efforts are underway to arrest more suspects, though residents are skeptical about the likelihood of swift justice.
Community leaders and parents are urging Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to intervene urgently, warning that continued neglect of the issue could lead to further unrest and exacerbate insecurity in the area.
The incident highlights broader problems related to security in Nigerian schools, where political tension, territorial disputes, and conflicts between traditional leaders have increasingly led to attacks that threaten education and community stability.
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