Lagos, Nigeria – Thirty-two suspects have been arrested following a violent clash at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, earlier today.
According to Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos State Police PRO, the suspects were taken into custody after staff and students attacked a mediation team sent by the Minister of Education. The team’s vehicles and the Provost’s official quarters were damaged, and all entrances to the college were blocked.
The police intervened, restoring normalcy after being attacked with stones and water sachets. Men from the Nigeria Police Force, Area Command, Surulere, remain on the scene to ensure the peace is maintained.
The crisis began over three months ago when staff locked out the Provost, denying him access to his office. Today’s violence marks a disturbing escalation of the ongoing impasse.
“For over three months, staff of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka locked out their Provost, depriving him use of his office”.
“A team set up by the Minister of Education arrived the school today to mediate the ongoing impasse. However, staff of the college aided by students attacked the team from Abuja, damaging over five vehicles and the Provost’s official quarters”.
“Not done, the rioting staff and students also blocked all entrances in and out of the college. The police arrived the scene and restored normalcy after being attacked with stones and sachets of water by the rioters”.
“Meanwhile, thirty-two suspects have been arrested while men of the Nigeria Police Force from Area Command, Surulere remain on ground to ensure that the restored peace remains intact”, he said.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
