Students Take to the Streets Over Safety Concerns
Students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, staged a massive protest on Monday morning, decrying increasing insecurity, police brutality, and extortion. The demonstration, which started in front of the school gate, saw students holding placards with bold inscriptions such as “End Police Brutality Now,” “Protect, Save, Don’t Abuse,” and “This Extortion Must Stop.”
However, the peaceful protest took a tense turn when security forces reportedly dispersed the crowd using teargas.
SUG President Speaks Out Against Injustice
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Comrade Geoffrey George, who led the demonstration, lamented that students have endured persistent harassment at the hands of both police officers and local hoodlums.
“Just last week, a viral video surfaced showing one of our students being brutalized, beaten, and dragged on the ground by policemen,” he revealed.
According to George, students, especially those residing within the school’s surrounding communities, are frequent victims of crime and police extortion.
“Students in Ikot Ekpene are not safe. Hoodlums snatch phones, break into hostels, and even kill innocent students. In the last year alone, we have buried over five students who were murdered in cold blood while the police stood idly by,” he stated.
Activists Insist on Continued Protest Until Action is Taken
One of the student activists, who spoke anonymously, insisted that the protests would continue until authorities take decisive action to ensure student safety.
“The Rector called the SUG executives this morning, asking us to halt the protest, but we refused. Our students are in danger, and we cannot be silent while lives are lost. The world must know that instead of protecting us, the police are busy extorting money from poor students,” he declared.
Police Respond, Invites Students for Dialogue
In response, the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, acknowledged the students’ grievances and assured them that the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, has invited student representatives for a meeting to address their concerns.
Read also: “Supreme Court Restores Amaewhule-Led Rivers Assembly, Slams Fubara’s ‘Despotic’ Actions”
“The Commissioner of Police has called for a meeting with the students this morning. We are waiting for them to come and discuss their issues,” she stated.
As tensions remain high, students are hopeful that the dialogue with the police will lead to real solutions and an end to the violence and extortion they face daily.