Trouble erupts in Sandema SHTS, one student dead

One first-year male student of the Sandema Senior High Technical School in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region has been reported dead and another left unconscious after police clashed with students Tuesday night.

The deceased (name withheld) died from wounds when a stray bullet allegedly hit him as the police attempted dispersing students who had gone on rampage after they had been beaten by the school cadet for flouting school rules, source said.

Authorities who are tightlipped on the issue said a group of students who resisted attempts by the school cadet to drive them into their dormitories sparked the riots.

It degenerated into a scuffle and the students moved out hurling stones and objects at staff and destroying school property.

Following the destructive behaviour of the students, the police were called in to calm the situation but the students who did not like the presence of the security men turned their anger on them, resulting in the firing of warning shots to diffuse the situation.

In the process, a student was hit by a stray bullet.

The student, who was hit in the chest, was rushed by the police to the Sandema District Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after he was admitted.

The situation has since created fear and panic and it is gathered that a lot of the students have deserted the campus.

As at the time of filing this report, our sources said the District Chief Executive, David Afoko, has visited the hospital to ascertain the matter and arrangements have been made for a DISEC meeting first thing today.

It is also gathered that the DCE will visit the school today to understand issues that led to the unfortunate incident.

“The school will most likely be closed down today to allow for proper investigations” – our sources hinted.