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Tension gripped the Era area of Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, after the proprietress of a proposed nursery and primary school was yesterday attacked by suspected members of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society over her decision to continue construction of the school despite repeated warnings to stop.
The victim, Mrs. Helen Nweze, was said to have been supervising work at the school site when the assailants descended on her with sticks and other dangerous objects in what sources described as a coordinated attempt to stop the project by force.
She was, however, saved from possible death when nearby construction workers reportedly rushed to the scene after hearing her screams. The workers were said to have outnumbered the attackers, forcing them to flee before they could carry out what witnesses feared might have turned fatal.
A source in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Sun that the incident may not be unconnected with Helen’s refusal to halt the school project after she was allegedly warned that a private school could not operate close to a mosque and an Islamic school.
According to the source, “Everybody around here knew there had been tension over that project. She was told several times to stop building, but she refused because she had all the necessary papers and believed she had a right to use her land. What happened to her did not come as a surprise to many of us.”
Another family source, who also spoke to The Sun, alleged that the attack was carried out by Islamic extremists angered by the construction of a nursery and primary school in close proximity to a mosque and an Islamic school.
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The family source said, “What is Nigeria turning into if extremists are now saying they cannot be in the same neighbourhood with innocent children in a private school? Why should my sister be punished for doing good for society and trying to bring education to an underserved part of Era in Ojo? We are only thankful she was rescued before they killed
When contacted on phone, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed that an incident had been reported. She, however, said she had not yet been fully briefed and promised to provide further details to our correspondent as soon as more information became available.
As of the time of filing this report, The Sun had yet to hear back from the police.
The incident has since sparked concern among residents and family members, especially against the backdrop of allegations that the attack was religiously motivated.
