Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi have announced the shutting down of academic activities in the institution, following a violent students protests early this Tuesday.
The angry students had staged a peaceful match over what they said was rising insecurity on campus. They had blocked the main entrance of the institution and the adjoining highway, before the protesters went wild
According to the protesting students, over a hundred suspected thieves invaded the male hostel overnight, attacking occupants, injuring several, and stealing mobile phones and other valuables.
ait.live Correspondent reports that the protest later escalated as anti-riot Police operatives fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, with sounds of gunshots heard outside the school gate.
According to a source, the security operatives reportedly pursued some protesters to the off-campus student settlement in Gwallameji, where the unrest continued.
Students union leaders claimed that the protesting students were angered by the security agencies’ approach to calming the situation, blocked the major highway and set tires ablaze.
In response, the Security operatives deployed additional reinforcements to the scene, using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The unrest has left motorists and farmers heading to their farms stranded, as the highway remained impassable at the time of the report.
A Press statement issued by the authorities of the institution announcing the closure of academic activities, said: “Management of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has received the disturbing news of some unscrupulous elements who invaded the male students hostel, making away with their belongings and injuring about two students.
“Consequent upon this sad development, students came out of the Polytechnic Main Gate to express their justifiable frustration, calling on Management to act.”
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Explaining its role in handling the robbery attack on campus that triggered the early morning students protes, the statement signed by the institution’s Registrar, Kasimu Salihu, said that while Management acted promptly by showing up to address the students and situation, it became obvious that what was initially a peaceful protests had been hijacked and taken over by those it described as hoodlums, who it said were enemies of the students and institution.
“Against the background of this ugly situation, the Management hereby orders the immediate closure of academic activities. By this order, STUDENTS ARE GIVEN TWO HOURS WITHIN WHICH TO VACATE THE POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS, until further notice,” the statement concluded.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
