By Obiageli Nwankwo
The Anambra State Ministry of Education has released a documentary video on the recent vandalism of the Community Education Resource Centre (CERC), Awka, reaffirming the state government’s resolve to protect public educational infrastructure and prosecute individuals involved in the destruction of government property.
The video, which documents the incident of August 1, shows the aftermath of the alleged vandalism, including aluminium window frames identified by the Ministry as items removed from the facility. It also captures the apprehension of a suspect by local vigilante operatives before he was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, disclosed that the suspect is in police custody while investigations continue, stressing that the release of the documentary is intended to raise public awareness about the consequences of vandalising government property and to reinforce the state’s commitment to protecting critical educational infrastructure.
Dr. Ogugua said the action reflects Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s zero-tolerance policy against vandalism, describing the destruction of public facilities as an attack on investments made for the benefit of Ndi Anambra.
The commissioner noted that the Governor has consistently condemned vandalism, warning against the activities of illegal scrap metal dealers, popularly known as the “iron condemn” trade, which he said fuels the theft and destruction of public infrastructure.
According to him, the community education resource ventre was established to support teaching, learning.and teacher development, observing that vandalising such facilities undermines government efforts to improve the quality of education and expand access to modern learning resources.
Dr. Ogugua commended the vigilance and swift intervention of the local vigilante operatives, whose prompt response helped prevent further damage and ensured that the suspect was handed over to the police.
He warned that anyone found vandalising, stealing from, or unlawfully tampering with schools and other government educational facilities in the state would face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around schools and public institutions to the appropriate security agencies.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding educational facilities, the commissioner called on Ndi Anambra to support the Soludo administration’s efforts to eliminate vandalism, discourage the patronage of stolen public property and protect investments that are critical to the future of education in the state.
Obiageli Nwankwo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
