Outrage has trailed a viral video showing a group of students wearing uniforms believed to be those of Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, smoking inside a classroom.
The school is located along Abak Road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, about 200 meters from the state secretariat, which houses the Ministry of Education.
The 36-second video, posted on Facebook on Monday, has generated widespread reactions among the public. It was not immediately clear when the footage was recorded, who recorded it, or whether school authorities had identified the students.
Students seen smoking
In the clip, about 10 male students and one female student dressed in red-and-white uniforms are seen smoking and sharing what appears to be weed inside an empty classroom.
The students are also seen dancing and chanting to music playing in the background, while one male student is captured hugging the female student.
Public reactions
The footage has sparked concern among Facebook users, many of whom questioned discipline and supervision in public schools.
“This looks like the uniform of Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Abak Road,” said a Facebook user Ubong Asanga.
“Kai, it’s obviously not their first time,” writes Etuk Boniface in the comment section.
“Oh, those ones are gone,” another commenter, Unyime Innocent, wrote.
“After, the government will be blamed for not providing desks for students,” Otobong Nsekpong wrote.
“The girl, if not put on check, will likely become a free-to-air girl,” writes Murphy Lawrence.
“And there must be one stupid girl in their midst,” Itoro Edem writes.
“What is that girl doing in the group of boys?” Ekom Bassey writes.
“Very tiny elements, the decay in some public schools needs urgent attention. There’s no discipline nowadays. The old format of the late 80s should be invoked. Since parents are merciful, teachers should be sadistic,” writes Anietienteabaasi Akpan.
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The incident has renewed concerns over drug abuse, student conduct, and supervision in secondary schools across Akwa Ibom.
The video emerges amid growing concerns about substance abuse among young people in Nigeria. Schools are increasingly viewed as critical points for early intervention, counselling, and drug-prevention programmes.
The Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom, Ubong Umoh, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking his comment.