Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta FUNAAB Closed.
The authorities of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has closed the institution following a violent protest by the students yesterday.
According to a statement released by the Head, Directorate of Public Relations in the institution, Mrs Emi Alawode, the Management has declared a 7-day mid-semester break with effect from Thursday.
“This is to enable the university to put additional welfare and security arrangements in place to further support the initiatives of the Federal and State Governments, towards the protection of lives and properties o the students and the staff members.
She said that the institution has taken steps to partner with Ogun State Police Command and the State Security Service (SSS) to uphold safety of lives following reports of the attacks on students living around the school area.
Students in their hundreds went on the rampage on Thursday over what they described as “incessant invasion of their off- campus hostels” by armed robbers.
The aggrieved students, were said to have gathered as early as 6.am at the entrance of the institution to stage a protest over the development.
Thursday’s action followed an attack on one of the students’ hostels known as Adejoke Hostel at Isolu Community around the school on Wednesday by armed robbers.
The protest caused heavy traffic gridlock on the road leading to the school while academic and administrative activities were also disrupted.
The peaceful protest however, turned violent, after a 100 level student of Forestry and Wildlife, identified as Taiwo Abisoye was hit by a tear gas canister fired by a policeman.
The students thereafter began to hurl stones at the police team led by Mrs Veronica Osakwe, the Divisional Police Officer of Obantoko, and her counterpart at Odeda, Mr. Ojogo Olorunlana.
The students set several vehicles on fire.
They also took to the highway and burnt the police post at Osiele area while they attacked the Divisional Officer in charge of the post.
The students also damaged a church, Divine Heights Bible Church at Kotopo area around the school founded by the vice Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole.
Vehicular movement was halted for several hours, as the rampage continued. Shops and other commercial institution were hurriedly shut down.
The entire school area around camp and Obantoko became tense, but the deployment of more policemen, men of the Mobile Police Force and men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS),in the area brought the situation under control.
The men of the state Fire Service were also on ground to put off the fire on the cars set ablaze by the students. (NAN)
