Students of the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, on Thursday, set fire to the official residence of the school’s provost during a protest.
The agitated students also vandalised vehicles on campus, protesting against what they described as the extortion of N23 million for the index registration of 250 graduates.
According to some students who spoke with our correspondent, the unrest arose from a newly introduced public health programme, which was initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and Public Health Association of Nigeria.
The college management allegedly combined this programme with the Environmental Health Department to secure certification, leading to an additional fee of N65,000 for index registration, in addition to the initial N30,000 the student had already paid.
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Frustrated by what they perceived as unjust fees, the students resorted to violent protests, stoning vehicles and setting the provost’s residence ablaze.
It was gathered that several staff members had to scale over the fence to escape the rampaging students before security forces arrived.
In response to the chaos, students were instructed to vacate the campus until further notice.
SP Nafiu Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi Police Command, confirmed the incident and stated that further details would be provided once the Divisional Police Officer in Jega submits a report.
In a phone conversation, the provost, Haruna Sa’idu Sauwa, said external forces plotting against him were behind the students’ actions.
While no arrests have been made, police investigations are currently underway.
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