Panic As Parents Withdraw Children From Enugu Schools Over Rumour of Army Forceful Vaccination

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Wednesday, October 11th, 2017

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu Nigeria

…Rumour not true, Baseless -Army

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – There was tension in parts of Enugu state South- East Nigeria on Wednesday, following rumour making the rounds that some persons suspected to be military personnel were forcefully administering immunization vaccines to school children.

The development however, put fear in the students, as they all abandoned their lessons and ran home for fear of uncertainty.

When our correspondent went round parts of Enugu to monitor the situation, it was observed that as early as 11am, most schools were already deserted as parents swiftly evacuated their children as soon as they got hint of the rumour.

Reacting to the development, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Ebere Amaraizu advised the Public to go about their normal businesses and not to give in to antics of mischief makers who want to create panic, anxiety and fears in the minds of members of the public.

He said “Members of the Public are enjoined to go about their normal business and not to give in to antics of mischief makers who want to create panic, anxiety and fears in the minds of members of the public”. He stated.

Most of the students who were seen rushing out from their various schools, said their parents informed them to come home with immediate effect to avoid being forcefully vaccinated by any body.

A female student of Urban Girls secondary school, new layout Enugu, who craved anonymity said: “My mother informed me to come home immediately because of rumour that some people suspected to military personal were carrying out deadly immunization exercise in primary and secondary schools in Enugu.

“ I don’t want to die so I decided to obey my parents’ Order, I will not go back to school again until my parents finish their investigation” she said.

When contacted, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu ,Colonel Sagir Musa denied the allegation, describing it as falsehood.

He explained that the immunization exercise by the army in Ozubulu town of Anambra State was going on successfully.

African Examiner gathered that the rumour which has spread like a wildfire in parts of South East states, is being peddled by members of the Nnamdi Kanu led Independent peoples of Biafra, IPOB.