ERC Condemns Violent Clampdown On Federal University Lokoja Students

WE CONDEMN THE VIOLENT CLAMPDOWN ON THE PEACEFUL PROTEST OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA STUDENTS BY POLICE AND DSS OFFICERS

ALL THE DEMANDS OF THE STUDENTS FOR A SAFE CAMPUS MUST BE MET!

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) sternly condemns the violent clampdown on  a peaceful protest organized by students of Federal University Lokoja over the tragic death of 4 students of the school. While throwing our weight behind the mass of Federal University Lokoja students, we warn the authorities against any attempt to victimize students over their legitimate agitations for a safe learning environment.

Recall, that on Monday, 17th of February 2025 a shuttle bus containing 4 students and the driver was crumpled by a heavy truck which led to the death of 4 students and the bus driver, while the only survivor is in a critical health condition. Following this tragedy, students gathered to mourn their colleagues’ painful loss and demand a safe campus. On Thursday February 20, students gathered at the school gate to continue their peaceful protest for a safe campus. Just a few hours into the protest, the University management under the leadership of Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, ordered the indefinite closure of the school, asking all students to vacate the school premises by 12 noon. This meant that students had just one hour to prepare to leave, including those traveling long distance. This act is condemnable, and it is a sheer attempt to shut the voices of students. One would expect a responsible university management to rather begin the process of ensuring the safety of students instead of trying to shut down their voices. Also, the school management mobilized Policemen and DSS officers to unleash havoc on students.

The use of brute force on protesting students who had conducted themselves peacefully is an attack on democratic rights. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi is an enemy of the students and an enemy of public education. Since becoming Vice-Chancellor, he has implemented policies that have led to excruciating pain for students. When students complained of the growing insecurity for those living off-campus, he did nothing other than watch students suffer and die. Therefore, his recent atrocity of mobilizing policemen to attack students doesn’t come as a complete shock to those who are familiar with his history of notoriety.

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) reiterates the need for the demands of students, placed on the government and school management, to be met. There is a need to revamp the expressway and provide measures, including alternative lanes for heavy duty vehicles and trucks, to ensure commuters are not exposed to the daily danger that the highway now portends. In addition to the need to repair the road, a pedestrian flyover and overhead bridge should be constructed to ensure students and workers don’t have to deal with the daily dangers lurking on the road. Road safety officers should also be adequately positioned around the part linking the road to the campus while also constructing modernized speed-breakers. In the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), we believe that the school authority must drastically reduce the cost of school hostel accommodation and build more conducive hostels for students. 130,000 naira for a bed space is exploitation!

The ERC firmly stands with students of Federal University Lokoja in their struggle for a safe academic environment and against the tyranny of Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi.

Ogunjimi Isaac,

Deputy National Coordinator

Adaramoye Michael Lenin,

National Mobilization Officer

Email: [email protected]