EBSU STUDENTS CRY AS FIRE CONSUMES HOSTEL

REPORTER: BENJAMIN ANYIGOR

Property worth millions of naira have been engulfed by fire in a students’ hostle at Ishieke Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.

Some of the students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), who were victims of the of the fire, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, lamented the level of the damage caused by the fire, which started at about 4pm.

The hostle which they gave it name as St. Michael lodge is said to belong to a former federal law maker, Sen. Julius Ali Ucha.

One of the victims, Mr. Kingsley Oyibe, lamented the rate at which the fire damaged his property, including his academic files.

He said they suspected the fire might have emanated from the public power source but noted the need for investigation into the cause of the disaster.

Mr. Oyibe said he was in shock, as he needed his documents most as he was preparing for his National youth service (NYSC).

Mr. Oyibe called on the government to come to their aid.

Similarly, a brother to the victim, Mr. Onyekachi Oyibe, said the level of damage caused by the fire was yet to be ascertained.

He further stressed that many vital materials belonging to his younger brother Chibuike Oyibe, who was recently enrolled in the into Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, were also damaged by the fire.

Other necessary things damaged by the fire were clothes, television and other important belongings.

All effort to get the state fire service proved abortive as the rescue operations was done by the students in the environment.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU