Kogi State Polytechnic Shut Indefinitely
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has been shut indefinitely, following violent protest the students embarked upon yesterday against the killing of their female colleague by a motorcycle operator.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Yakubu who spoke to newsmen in Lokoja said that the closure of the institution is to forestall further loss of lives and properties.
He said the management had no option than to take the action following violent protest embarked upon by the students in showing their grievances over a colleague’s death. He has directed all students, including those in hostels to vacate the school immediately.
The female student who was allegedly stabbed on the chest during an argument with a commercial motorcycle operator over N50 transport fare died on Tuesday morning at the hospital where she was receiving treatment; a development which prompted the students to embark on the protest which later degenerated as the students commandeered a truck carrying cement products and used it to block the Lokoja-Abuja highway.
Eyewitnesses reported that the students set the truck and two other vehicles and many motorcycles on fire, causing vehicles to completely stopped plying the road for hours. Leaving motorists to abandoned their vehicles and take cover in nearby houses as police engaged the protesting students.
Police spokesman in the state, ASP William Aya, told newsmen that the situation had been brought under control, and that no arrest was made as the police only came to pacify the students to leave the highway.
