Violent protest at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi
By AISHA NANA, Bauchi –
Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, has been shut down indefinitely following a violent student protest sparked by an alleged midnight robbery at the male hostel on Tuesday.
The institution’s management announced the closure in a statement by its Registrar Alhaji Kasimu Salihu, released to journalists in Bauchi.
The statement detailed the incident: “Some unscrupulous elements invaded the male students’ hostel, stealing belongings and injuring two students.”
It noted that while students initially protested at the polytechnic’s main gate to voice their frustration, “hoodlums hijacked what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration, leading to chaos.”
Consequently, the management ordered an immediate halt to academic activities and gave students two hours to vacate the campus.
Students, speaking anonymously to reporters, expressed outrage over the robbery, which occurred around 10 a.m.
They criticized the institution for inadequate security measures. Ismail Abubakar, a student, lamented, “It’s disturbing that students are not safe off campus or on campus.
The robbers took over 50 phones and injured students with dangerous weapons.”
President of the Student Union Government, Haruna Umar, added, “This kind of attack is unprecedented in the history of the polytechnic.”
The Bauchi Police Command responded swiftly, detaining three suspects linked to the robbery.
The command’s spokesman, CSP Ahmed Wakili, confirmed in a statement that the suspects “admitted to criminally conspiring, invading the hostel, and forcibly taking students’ phones and laptops while injuring those who resisted.”
Following a report from the institution’s Chief Security Officer, police teams were dispatched to the scene, providing first aid to victims at the polytechnic’s clinic.
As the protest escalated, with reports of looting and molestation of innocent people, police reinforcements were deployed.
Wakili explained that “Operatives used minimal force to disperse the crowd after facing resistance, successfully restoring order.”
The command detained 36 male and 12 female individuals for their alleged roles in the protest.
The closure leaves the institution’s academic calendar in limbo, with students and authorities awaiting further developments.
