Students’ violence: Federal College of Education (Technical), Lagos, shut

Authorities of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Akoka, Lagos, have ordered an indefinite closure of the institution following violence that erupted on Monday.

The institution’s Governing Council announced this on Tuesday, according to the Provost, Dr. Wahab Azeez.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 32 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

On Monday, videos emerged showing the escalating ongoing leadership crisis, depicting protesting students vandalizing the official vehicles of the governing council members, who narrowly escaped physical attack.

Some students claimed that their protests were a response to poor welfare.

According to a student, the school management had invited the police to the campus to quell the riot.

“They started throwing tear gas. The provost ordered them to throw tear gas, and they arrested some staff members and also beat them.

The provost claimed that staff members vying for his position were inciting the protesting students.

“Those students who are protesting are being instigated by those staff members eyeing my position. For the past five years since I was appointed as the provost, I have never had an issue with students because I was a former Student Union leader and I know what the students want,” he said.

Confirming the arrests via a post on X.com, the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “A team set up by the Minister of Education arrived at the school today (Monday) to mediate the ongoing impasse.

“However, (the) staff (members) 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 at 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 the ground to ensure that the restored peace remains intact.”