The Niger state police command says one person was killed in Sunday clash between students of the Federal Polytechnic Bida and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Dibal Yakadi, who disclosed this on Monday in Minna also said that three people were also injured in the francas, while seven motorcycles were burnt.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the face-off, the Commissioner explained that three students of the polytechnic had boarded a car from Minna driven by one Baba Mohammed along with other passengers to Bida.
According to him, the driver dropped them off at Etsu Yahaya motor park in Bida contrary to the polytechnic junction as earlier agreed.
He explained that a disagreement ensued resulting in a fight, adding that a student sustained bruises while the driver sustained injuries on the neck.
He said the students then mobilized their colleagues who attacked NURTW members at the motor park, during which seven motorcycles were burnt.
He explained that a lecturer of the institution, one Danlami Mohammed Johnson Onuoha and Habib Mohammed were wounded during the attack.
According to him, irked by the attack some youth in the town went on rampage attacking off-campus students, private residences and hostels around the institution.
He said the Command acted promptly by deploying 40 mobile police personnel and 20 conventional police to beef up security in the ancient town.
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, also confirmed that a student was killed during the clash but said the situation is under control.
He explained that some students chartered a commercial vehicle from Minna to Bida and upon reaching Bida the students’ demands that the driver must take them to polytechnic junction.
He said the driver pleaded with them that the vehicle lacks headlights and even offered to pay for their transport fares but they insisted that he must take them to the campuses.
He said the students overpowered the driver and that in the process he attacked one of them.
“The management of the institution is meeting today to take a decision on next line of action,” he explained.
