Akwa Ibom Govt Bans Children Older Than 12 Years From Gaining Admission Into Secondary School

The government of Akwa Ibom State has ordered that children older than 12 years of age should no longer be granted admission into secondary schools in the state.

The government led by Governor Udom Emmanuel explained that the move is part of efforts to curb cultism in the schools.

The directive is contained in a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting in Uyo, Naija News understands.

The statement however added an exception for children with genuine reasons but the parent/ward of such children must sign an undertaking of good behaviour.

“Investigation has revealed that the surge is caused mainly by over-aged students who are on a mission of mass recruitment of students into cult groups.

“However, any student above this age with a genuine reason will have their parents sign an undertaking of good behaviour before their admission,” NAN quoted him to have said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Police has revealed that bandits have kidnapped 204 students from 5 schools in Kaduna between January 2021 till date.

The State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri made the disclosure while briefing the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman who was on an operational visit to the state.

He listed the affected schools as College of Forestry and Mechanisation, Mando Afaka, Green Field University along Kaduna-Abuja Highway, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, The National Centre for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Saye, Zaria, and Bethel Baptist Academy, Maraban Rido.

The CP lamented that many criminal activities including kidnapping, culpable homicide, armed robbery, cattle rustling, rape, human trafficking and other lesser crimes comprising of obtaining money by false pretence, criminal breach of trust, cheating, criminal trespass, theft, mischief among others have become rampant in the state.

He noted however that the operatives are not giving up in their constitutional roles of securing and protecting the lives and property of citizens.