Students Protest At Federal Polytechnic Bauchi Amid Hostel Robbery, Police Respond With Tear Gas.
Tensions escalated at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi today as students took to the streets to protest following a robbery at their hostel. The demonstration, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, was sparked by an overnight attack where armed robbers stormed the male students’ hostel, stealing valuables such as smartphones and laptops and leaving several students injured.
The angry students, frustrated by what they described as inadequate security measures by the polytechnic’s management, blocked the Bauchi–Dass road near the institution’s main entrance, halting traffic and disrupting commercial activities. The protest, initially peaceful, turned chaotic when suspected hoodlums attempted to hijack the demonstration, prompting a heavy-handed response from the Nigeria Police Force.
Eyewitnesses reported that police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, with some students retaliating by throwing stones. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that a student may have been shot during the unrest, though the Bauchi State Police Command has yet to verify this claim. The police have promised a comprehensive statement following their investigation.
Haruna Umar, President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), condemned the robbery, describing it as an unprecedented attack in the institution’s history. “This is students showing their grievances to management and authorities,” Umar stated, highlighting the growing concerns over campus security.
Among the injured was Matta Musa, a class representative from the NDI Computer Science department, who sustained a head injury during the robbery. Several other students were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment. The exact number of casualties remains unclear as the situation unfolds.
In response to the escalating crisis, the management of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi announced an indefinite closure of the institution. Registrar Kasimu Salihu cited the need to prevent further breakdown of law and order, stating, “Unscrupulous elements invaded the hostel, stealing students’ belongings and injuring two. The decision to shut down the campus was taken to ensure the safety of all students.”
Rabiu Wadda, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, added that management has been engaged in crisis control since the early hours of the morning. “We are doing everything possible to restore calm and address the situation,” he said, noting that the campus closure was a precautionary measure to protect students from further attacks.
The Bauchi State Police Command, through spokesperson Ahmed Wakil, confirmed their presence at the scene and efforts to restore normalcy. “We are working to control the situation, and a detailed report will be issued soon,” Wakil assured.
This incident follows a pattern of security concerns in the Gwallameji area, a student community near the polytechnic, where residents and students have previously protested against frequent armed robberies and assaults. The latest robbery, reportedly involving over 50 armed attackers, has intensified calls for improved security measures both on and off campus.
As the situation develops, students have been given a two-hour window to vacate the campus, with authorities urging calm and cooperation. The closure of the polytechnic has raised concerns about the immediate future of academic activities, with no clear timeline for reopening.
The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi community now awaits further updates from both the institution’s management and the police as they work to address the underlying security issues that have sparked this unrest.
