Land Dispute Identified as Cause of Recurring Fires at Nyapui Secondary School

Land Dispute Identified as Cause of Recurring Fires at Nyapui Secondary School

Government officials, school management, and SEND Sierra Leone have confirmed that a long-standing land dispute is the root cause of four recent fire outbreaks at Nyapui Secondary School. 

Stakeholders reached this conclusion following a series of emergency meetings aimed at addressing the repeated disruptions to education at the Kenema-based institution.

The recurring incidents are reportedly linked to unresolved ownership and boundary disagreements. 

Local residents noted that a disgruntled family, alleging unpaid encroachment, previously performed traditional ceremonies to invoke justice against occupants of the land. While many of those who initiated the rites have passed away, the community believes the spiritual consequences continue to manifest through these fires.

In response, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education and the Resident Minister for the Eastern Region have called for peaceful dialogue. 

All stakeholders, including the police and community leaders, have reaffirmed their commitment to a lawful resolution to ensure student safety and restore academic stability. 

Mediation efforts are ongoing to secure a permanent settlement and prevent further property damage.

Stakeholders urged community members to cooperate with the authorities and refrain from any actions that could further endanger lives or damage public property and ensuring that students can continue their education without fear or disruption. 

They also appealed to the community to protect the school and prioritize the welfare and future of the children.

Various areas of Nyapui school, including the dormitory of pupils, classroom and office have been engulfed by fire more than five times since it was erected, causing great worry from parents and community neighbours alike.