Auchi Poly students on the rampage

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

The Management of the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, has shut the institution indefinitely following a violent protest over alleged refusal of the management of the institution to allow some part time students who had not paid their school fees to seat for examination.

Several students of the institution were reportedly injured, while vehicles belonging to the Polytechnic and some members of staff were damaged.

Besides, the angry students were also alleged to have smashed louvers windows of offices during the riot that lasted for over four hours.

It was gathered that the riot was triggered when security personnel at the Polytechnic prevented some students who had not paid their school fees from seating for the examination in accordance with the directives of the management.

It was learn that some of the students who forced their way into the exam halls had their examination booklets torn by the school security men.

The students were said to have resisted the security men and insisted that they should be allowed to write the exams like other students, a development which led the violent protest.

The students were said to have criticised the School’s new Rector’s policy of no school fees, no examination.

The Polytechnic Public Relations Officer, Mustapher Oshiobugie, who confirmed the incident, blamed the riot on students who had not been properly registered by paying their fees.

Oshiobugie who denied reports that some student sustained injuries, said the situation has been brought under control.

“Some students who have not paid their school fees are the ones fomenting trouble on campus. Properties have also been destroyed by these same students. The situation has however has been brought under control,” he said.

As at time of filling report, it was gathered that the management of the Polytechnic was holding a meeting, where it was decided that the school has been shut down until further notice.