Management of the Lagos State University (LASU) have taken
the decision to halt the activities of the state-owned educational
facility indefinitely. The development follows what the LASU university
officials described 'violent protest by the students'.
"In the wake of the violent protest
by some affected students of Lagos State University (LASU) over the
closure of the university portal for registration of courses for rain
semester 2012/2013 examination, the university management has decided to
shut down the university indefinitely," the bulletin titled LASU
management Closes University indefinitely and dated January 23, 2014,
reads. "Also, examinations have been put off till further notice. With
this decision, students are expected to vacate the university premises
until further notice."
The initially peaceful protest has been staged by the students on
Wednesday, January 22. They decried the failure of the University
Management to reopen the registration portal for over a thousand
students who are yet to register. However, on Thursday, violence
erupted. Participants destroyed cars, other properties, and allegedly
threw stones at the University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Obafunwa
despite the presence of men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on the
site.
The university’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations Unit,
Dr. Sola Fosudo, explained that the measure was taken to allow normalcy
to return. He said the management resolved to address all the major
problems that may have triggered the protest.
Also, Lagos State House of Assembly summoned the Special Adviser on
Education Mr. Fatai Olukoga, the Governing Council, management staff of
the university and the students' union leadership to appear before the
House on Friday.
The Chairman, Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Wahab
Alawiye-King appealed to the University authorities to reopen the portal
for two days to enable the students to register and sit for the
examination.
Aftermath
The police stormed the campus with over 20 patrol vans and two APCs.
According to eyewitnesses' accounts, the policemen fired teargas
canisters at students injuring many. It was learnt that two students
have been transferred to the Ikeja General in critical condition.
However, Area E Commander in charge of the Ojo, Assistant
Commissioner of Police Dan Okoro denied the allegations, suggesting the
students sustained injuries while trying to break the windows to the
VC's office and windshields of some cars.
The university's two entrance gates have been locked up and blocked
by policemen who placed their vans in and around the campus. The
students were asked to vacate the university immediately.
The Education Rights Campaign, has called for the immediate
withdrawal of the police from the university and the establishment of a
democratic process to hold discussions with the aggrieved students and
the university’s union body.
Below are the pictures from the scene of the protest. Warning: some images depict violence.
Source: Vanguard
Source: Naij.com news
Source: NairaLand
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