By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, on Tuesday, staged a protest over rape and attacks by armed robbers on some of their lodges at the Gwallameji student area where some of their valuables were carted away.
The students who came out in their numbers in the morning and blocked the Bauchi-Dass highway on both sides of the road causing traffic on the road. This also prevented motorists from plying the road to their various destinations.
When our Correspondent visited the Federal Polytechnic, it was discovered that the main gate which was initially closed stopping entry into and exit out of the institution, was later opened.
Students who were inside the school attending lectures and other academic activities quickly rushed out in droves for fear of the unknown.
From the main gate to the small gate, fierce and angry-looking Anyi-riot policemen in three Hilux vans were seen stationed at the gate in their patrol vans.
Most of the shops around the gate were immediately closed down while some of them who halfway opened.
Traders who came for the weekly Gwallameji market situated opposite the Federal Polytechnic main gate also packed up their goods for fear of any escalation of the incident.
Police reportedly fired teargas canisters to disperse the angry protesting students who immediately took to their heels coughing and blocking their noses with their hands and handkerchiefs.
The incident caused pandemonium in the area as many scampered to safety.
Our correspondent saw policemen at the scene of the blockade trying to open up the road to motorists by removing the blocks, wood and amongst others.
A student who did not mention his name to our correspondent, said that the students came out to protest the attacks on their lodges but the police fired teargas at them and this further angered them.
He said the attacks were carried out early hours of Tuesday by armed robbers who were about 40 to 50 in number.
“These people (armed robbers) stormed the student village and attack many lodges. I don’t know how many lodges they attack but i know they are many. They were about 40 to 50 in number and they were well armed.
“When they came, they would surround and attack lodge and steal students valuables. They went to many lodges and nobody could dare challenge them because of their number and the weapons they were carrying. How can students or residents confront people who are armed with guns, machetes, knives and other dangerous weapons? He asked.
According to him, there was no response by the police when the attacks were going on, adding that the incident had occured many times in the past.
He said: “This is not the first time that such an incident would be happening in Gwallameji. There has never been a time when we had security agents come to our rescue until such attacks are completed. We need government’s urgent intervention. They should provide security for students and residents of Gwallameji.”
Another student said that: “Several times, these people would attack student lodges, rape female students and cart away their valuables. There have been times where some students were injured during these attacks.
“This is getting too much and out of hand. We, students, are no longer safe here because of the various threats to our lives and properties posed by these armed robbers, who carryout their attacks on students without mercy.
“The unfortunate thing is that the authorities are not saying or doing anything about it and that was why the students came out today following last night’s incident to voice out their grievances.”
Another resident said that “the armed robbers also stormed our area in Rafin Zurfi but the local vigilante we have repelled the attack and they fled. There were several gunshots all through the night to the morning hours. In fact, we couldn’t sleep because of that but we thank God that they didn’t succeed.”
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