Awe Senior High School in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality has been closed indefinitely after a violent student riot erupted on campus following the arrest of a suspected intruder at the girls’ dormitory.

Headmaster Rev. Atanga Augustine described the incident as “devastating and traumatic” in an interview with reporter Moses Apiah.

According to Rev. Atanga, the chaos began around 7 p.m. on Friday when he received an urgent call about disturbances on campus.

By the time he arrived, police officers were already at the administration block, surrounded by angry students.

Teachers explained that an unidentified man—believed by students to be the mysterious figure who regularly sneaks into the girls’ dormitory—had been spotted again.

The school’s cadet corps reportedly chased and caught him after he allegedly scaled the school wall.

The suspect’s arrest, however, caused a breakdown in order.

Students insisted on punishing him themselves and attacked him before teachers intervened.

When police moved to take the suspect into custody, the students became furious and hurled stones at the police vehicle as officers drove him away.

The situation quickly escalated into full-blown violence.

Rev. Atanga recounted that students vandalised school facilities, attempted to set his bungalow ablaze, disconnected electricity, destroyed offices, looted food stores, and burnt a housemaster’s motor tricycle.

Reports also emerged of students invading the girls’ dormitory and stealing personal belongings and money.

One female student was severely injured after being hit by a stone, forcing the Headmaster to rush her to the hospital while the unrest continued.

“With the level of destruction, it was impossible to keep students on campus,” Rev. Atanga stated, explaining that the school had no option but to shut down while investigations began.

He assured parents, particularly those of final-year students, that measures are being taken to ensure they complete their WASSCE registration before the deadline.

A committee is expected to probe the matter to ascertain whether external influences played a role and advise on the next course of action.