SaharaReporters learnt that the lawless police officers were deployed to stop the inauguration of the institution’s governing council by the school provost, Dr Wahab Azeez Ademola.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
No fewer than 50 students from the Federal College of Education in Akoka, Lagos State, were severely injured during a stampede that occurred on Monday afternoon when some armed police officers invaded their school premises and began shooting.
SaharaReporters learnt that the lawless police officers were deployed to stop the inauguration of the institution’s governing council by the school provost, Dr Wahab Azeez Ademola.
The students and some concerned staff in recent times had spoken against corruption and mismanagement of funds within the school system under the watch of Dr Wahab.
This was why they called for the instant inauguration of the governing council which would put a check to the excessive power of the provost.
However, the provost who did not want the council inaugurated, started to threaten all the staff and the students’ leaders, according to information received.
He also mobilised armed policemen to disrupt the process, it was learnt.
In multiple videos obtained by SaharaReporters, the lawless Nigerian policemen were seen shooting bullets and teargas at the hundreds of students and staff of the institution.
“The shooting caused a stampede and this led to an unrest situation in the school which made over 300 students run for their lives. One of the students was shot in his hand. The Students’ Union has been able to identify not less than 50 students who are critically injured,” an eyewitness told SaharaReporters.
He continued: “The police also arrested about 30 people including students and staff of the school because the provost did not want a system that transparent in the school system.”
Reacting in a press statement issued on his X page, the Lagos Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the policemen were deployed to the school to quell the violence allegedly started by some staff and students against the school provost.
The police spokesperson wrote: “For over three months, staff of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka locked out their Provost, depriving him use of his office.
“A team set up by the Minister of Education arrived the school today to mediate the ongoing impasse. However, staff of the college aided by students attacked the team from Abuja, damaging over five vehicles and the Provost’s official quarters.
“Not done, the rioting staff and students also blocked all entrances in and out of the college. The police arrived the scene and restored normalcy after being attacked with stones and sachets of water by the rioters.
“Meanwhile, 32 suspects have been arrested while men of the Nigeria Police Force from Area Command, Surulere remain on ground to ensure that the restored peace remains intact.”
Last Monday, SaharaReporters also reported that hundreds of students from the Federal college staged a protest over dilapidated infrastructure and poor student welfare.
The students under the umbrella of the Student Union Government lamented the lack of medical facilities, certificates, sports amenities, and hostels.
They pointed out that students had been paying for the services year after year but were not receiving the value for what they were paying.
In a letter addressed to the school management and obtained by SaharaReporters, it was pointed out that students had been paying for the services year after year but were not receiving the value for their payments.
The letter had read, “We write regarding the ongoing issue in the college and thought it best to make our voices heard after several failed attempts. We are much displeased with college management over several issues and as such, the above-named body writes to the council to make the following demands as it affects the student’s welfare at large.
“Poor Hostel Facilities and Infrastructure; The male and female hostels are more like abandoned slums. The school management is to renovate the hostels through the Dean of Student Affairs but instead, they imposed a compulsory buying of potties for the students at large.”
