The Awe Senior High School in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality in the Upper East region has been shut down indefinitely following a student riot, which was triggered by the arrest of an alleged intruder at the girls’ dormitory. The headmaster of the school, Reverend Atanga Augustine, narrated the disturbing incident in an interview with A1 Radio, describing the night as “devastating and traumatic.”
According to Rev. Atanga, he received a distress call around 7 p.m. on Friday, indicating disturbances on campus. Upon arriving at the school, he found students surrounding the administration block, with police officers already present.
He said the teachers explained that an unidentified man, long rumored by students as “the man” who sneaks into the girls’ dormitory at night, had been seen again. This time, the cadet corps pursued and apprehended him after he allegedly scaled the school’s wall.
Students, who, however, demanded instant justice, attacked the intruder before teachers intervened. When police attempted to rescue the suspect, the students became enraged, pelting the police van with stones as officers whisked the suspect away. The situation deteriorated rapidly.
Rev. Atanga recounted how students destroyed the school property, attempted to burn his bungalow, disconnected electricity, vandalized offices, looted food stores, and burnt a housemaster’s motor tricycle. The girls’ dormitory was also invaded, with students reporting theft of personal belongings and money.
One female student suffered severe bleeding after being struck by a stone, prompting the headmaster to rush her to the hospital.
“With the level of destruction, it was impossible to keep students on campus,” he said, adding that the school was closed pending a full investigation.
Rev. Atanga assured parents, especially those of final-year students, that efforts were underway to allow them to complete their WASSCE registration before the deadline. Authorities await a committee report to determine whether external influences are present and to decide on the next steps.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|
