The Management of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, has ordered an immediate closure of the school following a tragic trailer accident that claimed the lives of five students.
The closure comes after failed attempts to calm protesting students who barricaded the university gates.
According to a statement by the Registrar, Rebecca Okojie, “students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.“
Students’ Demands
The protesting students had threatened to block the Abuja-Lagos Highway if the Federal Government failed to stop the incessant killing of their colleagues by trucks.
Student Union Government (SUG) President Benjamin Timothy said, “We have given the authorities 72 hours to address the incessant killings of our fellow students, or we file out of the streets in huge protest.“
The students are demanding action from the authorities to prevent further accidents and ensure their safety. Gomina Ahmed-Kabir, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Kogi, decried the inaction of the federal and state governments over the continuous killing of students on the highway.
Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, the Security Adviser to Governor Usman Ododo, pleaded with the protesting students to give the government more time to address the issue. He told them that Ododo had constituted a committee to look into the matter.
The student’s weren’t buy that. The university then directed students to vacate the campuses on or before noon on Thursday, 20th February 2025.
No resumption date was fixed.
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