Institution shut down over killing of female student

Academic activities at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, have been put to a halt after protests began over the killing of a female student in the institution.

The female colleague was allegedly​ ​stabbed ​i​n the chest during a scuffle with a commercial motorcycle operator over N50 transport fare.

This caused her death on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at the hospital where she had been receiving treatment, leading to a protest by the polytechnic students.

A spokesman for the institution, Luke Yakubu, told ​journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday that the closure was to safeguard against loss of lives and property.

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He said that the management took the decision following violent protests ​embarked upon by students earlier in the day over the killing of their female colleague.

The students have been instructed to vacate the school immediately, including those living in the hostels.

According to reports, the students took the protest outside the school premises, blocking the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, and setting two vehicles ablaze.

Motorists had to take shelter in nearby homes to protect themselves from the violence that had already ensued.

The spokesman for police in the state, ASP William Aya, said that the situation had been brought under control.

No student arrest was made by the police as they were only interested in ensuring peace on the expressway.