Protest: Bowen student vandalise 20 vehicles, loot shops

One of the vandalised vehicles

Students of the Bowen University, Iwo,Osun State protested against power outage and lack of water supply in one of the new hostels in the school on Thursday.

No fewer than 20 vehicles were damaged by the students who were also said to have looted some shops on the campus.

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Gboyega Aderoju, told our correspondent that although the situation had been brought under control, the school had been shut down till April 1.

He said that 10 students were arrested in connection with the looting, but added that they had been released after the police had taken their identities.

He said, “The university has been closed until April 1 as a result of the crisis. About 20 vehicles were damaged during the protest, while the police arrested 10 students.

“They were protesting an electrical fault in one of the floors in a hostel. They were watching football matchwhen this happened and they trooped out to protest against it. Few of them started it and forced others to join.”

Our correspondent learnt that the students, who were also angry about their restriction by the school authority, trooped out to protest against the new schedule which stipulated that all students must leave their hostels by 8am irrespective of whether they have lectures or not and should not return to the hostel  until 4pm.

It was learnt that the students were watching a UEFA champions’ match on Wednesday night when the light went out.

One of the students of the university told our correspondent that the protest started at around 9pm.

He said, “The university management just released a new time table. We must go leave the hostel by 8am and stay in the school area until 4pm.

“Also, the new male hostel does not have water or electricity supply.”

The primary school inside the campus was said to have been deserted as parents did not bring their children to the school on Thursday because of the protest.

It was gathered that although peace had been restored to the campus, no lecture took place on Thursday as the atmosphere was still tense.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, said the students staged the protest because electricity supply to the university was restored after the football match.