Education
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AUTHORITIES of the Edo State owned university, the Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma has shut down the institution following violent protest by students of the institution.
The students were protesting alleged 200 percent increase in the tuition fees of the institution.
A press statement signed by Edward Aihevbe, institution’s public relations officer, said the decision to close the institution indefinitely was reached after the Senate of the university reviewed the students’ protest.
Aihevbe said the university authorities viewed the protest as uncalled for and unnecessary as the students barricaded the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.
He denied social media report that two students were shot by security agents.
He said the students were given until 4pm to vacate the institution.
He said: “No student was shot. They barricaded the highway and soldiers escorting an Army vehicle that was passing the road had to shoot into the air to scare the students away.”
A truck said to be carrying rice was reportedly set ablaze after the goods were looted by the protesters.
The truck was said to be in traffic congestion along the highway few meters from the school gate when the looting occurred.
Aihevbe, however, said what caused the fire was yet to be ascertain and no confirmation on the goods being carried by the truck.
Some students of the institution were said to have been injured during the stampede that ensued after the soldiers shot into the air to break the barricade on the highway.
— Nov 14, 2016 @ 20:08 GMT
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