Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has ordered the immediate closure of the state-owned Kwara Polytechnic, Ilorin, following a protest by students of the institution.
The management of the Polytechnic confirmed that several students and staff members, including the Chief Security Officer, sustained injuries during the protest.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the protest was triggered by prolonged holidays declared by the institution’s management after the relocation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp to the Polytechnic campus.
The state government had earlier moved the NYSC orientation camp from Yinkpata to the Polytechnic over security concerns at the permanent site.
In a statement, the Acting Registrar of the institution, AbdulHafis Amin, attributed the escalation of the situation to poor handling by security operatives.
According to the statement, police officers initially deployed to disperse the crowd at the main gate allegedly exceeded their mandate by firing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels.
The action reportedly affected many students and staff members, with the Chief Security Officer sustaining injuries.
The closure is expected to remain in force pending further directives from the state government.
Writing by Ali Rabiu