There is palpable tension in the Agbani Campus of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Agbani, Enugu, following the alleged mysterious deaths of some students of the institution.
It was gathered that many students have died in mysterious circumstances within the last few weeks, a development that forced the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) to demand the immediate shut down of the institution.
According to a statement issued by the coordinator of NANS, Zone F, Southeast, Comrade Chidi Nzekwe and titled: ‘Call to shutdown Enugu State University Of Science & Technology (ESUT) immediately’, was obtained by our correspondent in Enugu.
The statement read: “The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone F- Southeast, expresses our deepest concern and utmost dismay over the frequent and tragic death of our students in Enugu State University Of Science and Technology (ESUT).
“Our investigations have shown a high level of negligence on the part of the school administration, ranging from non-functional student clinic, which is a major factor for the unfortunate death of our students.
“In the light of these disturbing findings, the leadership of NANS Zone F has taken the decision to order the immediate shutdown of the institution from tomorrow being 24th of August 2023, till further notice.
“This action is necessary to allow us to engage in extensive meetings with relevant stakeholders, including the university management, medical experts, security agencies and student representatives.
“Failure to shutdown the institution with immediate effect, we will be compelled to escalate our actions and the university management should get ready to contend with the armless battalion army of Nigerian students in the zone.
“The leadership of NANS Zone F is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian students.
It further stated: “We will not stand idly while the lives and welfare of our students are endangered, as we seek for a quick intervention to this crisis, we urge all our students in ESUT to return back to their respective homes where they will be safe till further notice. May the souls of our dear departed students Rest in peace.”
Similarly, a staff of the university, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the strange deaths, staying that the Enugu State government was already on top of the situation.
The staff said: “We are expecting a government delegation to the university; we will know the next line of action after that visit.”
Reacting to the development, the public relations officer of ESUT, Ikechukwu Ezianioma, described the reports as mendacious and fallacious, saying it was meant to tarnish the image of the university.
He, however, said that the state government had waded into the matter with the governor, Peter Mbah dispatching the secretary to the state government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia and the commissioner for health, Ikechukwu Obi to the university to get the firsthand information about what transpired.
Ezianioma added: “We are issuing a press statement soon and you will understand where we are coming from.
“The governor has already sent a team led by the secretary to the state government and the commissioner for health to the institution to see for themselves. Most of all these things you see are mendacious and fallacious aimed at tarnishing the image of the university.”
The press statement was however still being expected as of the time of filing this report.
When our correspondent contacted the state commissioner for health, Ikechukwu Obi, an unidentified aide responded that the commissioner was busy with meetings and urged our correspondent to send text messages.
Our correspondent sent text message but as of the time of filing this report, no response had been received from the state government.