A fire incident late Monday night has gutted the building housing the Exams and Records and Procurement units at the Federal College of Education Eha-Amufu, sparking widespread concern among staff, students, and stakeholders. The blaze, which reportedly occurred without electricity or nearby bushfires, has led to suspicions of deliberate sabotage aimed at destroying critical institutional documents.
Sources within the college told The Nigeria Education News that the building, which also contained the Centre for Educational Technology, the Governing Council Chambers, and the Integrated Science Lab, was completely razed. One staff member, speaking anonymously, alleged that the fire may have been set to frustrate ongoing petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). “I can tell you categorically that the building was burned down because of several petitions regarding the diversion of college vehicles and embezzlement of funds,” the source said.
The incident has raised immediate questions about the fate of students’ academic records. Stakeholders lamented the loss of results, transcripts, and other sensitive documents, fearing long-term repercussions for alumni and current students. “What is the fate of students whose results were consumed? What happens to the destiny of someone who graduated in 2012 that requests for a transcript?” a concerned source asked, emphasizing the gravity of the destruction.
Compounding fears, the fire occurred amid the advertisement of the provost’s position, heightening concerns that key documents relevant to potential investigations were targeted. The affected building was reportedly unoccupied at the time, and no casualties have been reported.
Efforts by The Nigeria Education News to reach the Provost, Dr. Pauline N. Ikwuegbu, for comment were unsuccessful, while the Enugu State Fire Service has yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the fire. The Governing Council has been urged to act decisively to prevent further institutional damage and safeguard students’ academic integrity.
In a phone call interview with this news outlet, an academic staff member described the incident as “an alarming signal that the institution could face collapse if immediate action is not taken.” The source further urged that the government intervene to restore damaged facilities and digitize records to prevent recurrence.
Students expressed mixed emotions, ranging from shock to anger, over the apparent vulnerability of the institution’s administrative systems. Social media posts from alumni raised concerns about verification of certificates, continuity of ongoing academic processes, and potential delays in graduation for final-year students.
With stakeholders calling for accountability, many have urged a full investigation to ascertain whether the fire was accidental or intentional. The incident has amplified calls for greater transparency, digitization of academic records, and stronger internal controls to safeguard both institutional integrity and students’ educational futures.
