Epame, Delta State—Nine years after suspected fighters from Isaba in Warri South-West Local Government Area attacked and devastated Epame Primary School, pupils and teachers remain displaced, with the school building abandoned and overgrown with thick bush.

Founded in 1955 and reconstructed with modern facilities by the Delta State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission (DESOPADEC) in 2014, the school was a beacon of education for the rural community. However, in 2016, it was ruthlessly vandalized and left in ruins during an attack that residents claim was unprovoked.

A Community Caught in a Conflict It Did Not Start

What shocked the people of Epame was that they had no direct conflict with Isaba, which was engaged in a war with neighboring Aladja in Udu Local Government Area. Despite this, the attackers stormed Epame, destroying homes, public buildings, and the school that had only been renovated two years prior.

Since then, displaced teachers and pupils have been using a community hall in Aladja as a temporary school. However, this has led to severe challenges, as pupils must trek over 10 kilometers daily to attend classes. Many have dropped out due to the distance, worsening the community’s educational crisis.

Residents Plead for Government Assistance

Residents are now calling on Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene and rebuild the school.

“The school was destroyed by Isaba people who came to burn the community,” said Chief Ezekiel Oweh, chairman of Epame community and Utiri of Udu Kingdom. “We have no problem with them. We had a pending court case, but that was no reason for them to attack us. I was in the community when the Isaba youths came and said, ‘You people are still here; we asked you to leave, and you do not want to leave.’”

He recounted how, around 10 p.m. that fateful night, the attackers returned, shooting and setting buildings ablaze. While the school was not set on fire, it was completely vandalized, leaving it unusable.

A School Lost in the Bush

Community leader Joseph Borotugbare described the current state of the school:

“The school has turned into a thick bush now. It was originally built in 1955 as a Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School, later renamed Epame Primary School. DESOPADEC rebuilt it in 2014, but it was destroyed again in 2016 when Isaba people attacked.

“Our children now suffer, trekking long distances to Aladja or paddling across to Oteri for school. Some have simply dropped out. We plead with the government to rebuild the school so that learning can return to Epame.”

A Generation of Children Suffering

James Matthew, Epame youth leader, expressed his frustration:

“The school was beautiful before it was destroyed. I attended it myself. Now, our children are suffering because they must walk more than 10 kilometers daily to attend classes. Some simply can’t make the journey. We are begging the government to re-erect the school so that our children can learn in their community.”

Another villager, Samson Ojakovo, recounted the horrors of the attack:

“Isaba people invaded Epame to raze down our community and destroy our homes. Without warning, they attacked and left us scattered. Our school was completely vandalized. The mud classrooms had been replaced with modern structures by DESOPADEC, but now, the entire school is overgrown with trees. We are planning to clear the area soon, but we need the government’s help to rebuild it.”

Calls for Urgent Government Action

Aladja youth leader Bezi Ighotegwolo confirmed that Epame was not part of the conflict but suffered because of the war between Isaba and Aladja.

“The well-equipped school was a sight to behold before its destruction. It was a fully functional institution with classrooms, teachers’ offices, toilets, and a football field. The government must urgently rebuild it so that the children of Epame can resume learning in their own community.”

As Epame residents continue to wait for help, their displaced children bear the brunt of an education system disrupted by conflict. Their plea remains the same: the government must step in to restore their school and provide them with the education they deserve.