Four
Students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were on Monday shot
dead by security operatives in Keffi during a demonstration in the vicinity of
the institution.
Students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were on Monday shot
dead by security operatives in Keffi during a demonstration in the vicinity of
the institution.
A 400
Level student of Geography, simply identified as Aminu, was said to be among
those killed, while several others received gunshot injuries.
Level student of Geography, simply identified as Aminu, was said to be among
those killed, while several others received gunshot injuries.
The
crisis compelled the authorities to shut down the institution.
crisis compelled the authorities to shut down the institution.
The
Police Public Relations Officer in the Nasarawa State Police Command, Mr.
Michael Ada, said two students died, while seven others received gunshot
injuries.
Police Public Relations Officer in the Nasarawa State Police Command, Mr.
Michael Ada, said two students died, while seven others received gunshot
injuries.
About
17 other students were arrested by security agents, including the institution’s
President of the Students Union.
17 other students were arrested by security agents, including the institution’s
President of the Students Union.
The
students of the institution were said to have blocked the Abuja/Keffi road in
protest over scarcity of water and power in the institution.
students of the institution were said to have blocked the Abuja/Keffi road in
protest over scarcity of water and power in the institution.
But the
police denied shooting the students, saying they only cleared the highway
blocked by the protesting students
police denied shooting the students, saying they only cleared the highway
blocked by the protesting students
Ada, a
Deputy Superintendent of Police, absolved the police of involvement in
the killing of the students. He said any question relating to the incident
should be directed to the Army.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, absolved the police of involvement in
the killing of the students. He said any question relating to the incident
should be directed to the Army.
He
said, “The policemen that went to the scene only cleared the expressway that
was blocked by the students. Two students were killed and seven others were
hospitalized for injuries sustained during the violent protest.
said, “The policemen that went to the scene only cleared the expressway that
was blocked by the students. Two students were killed and seven others were
hospitalized for injuries sustained during the violent protest.
“Any
question on the killing should be directed to the Army. They have their Public
Relations Unit, the police were not involved in the shootings.”
question on the killing should be directed to the Army. They have their Public
Relations Unit, the police were not involved in the shootings.”
But the
Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, denied the claim
that soldiers did the shooting.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, denied the claim
that soldiers did the shooting.
He said
soldiers were not deployed for the purpose of stopping the protest in the
university.
soldiers were not deployed for the purpose of stopping the protest in the
university.
Attahiru
said soldiers could not have gone to the scene of the protest to shoot the said
students, as there was no deployment.
said soldiers could not have gone to the scene of the protest to shoot the said
students, as there was no deployment.
He
explained that soldiers were on patrol duty during the demonstration at Keffi
but did not have any altercation with the students whatsoever.
explained that soldiers were on patrol duty during the demonstration at Keffi
but did not have any altercation with the students whatsoever.
The
Army Director of Information stated further that the police and other security
agencies were on the ground to handle the crisis.
Army Director of Information stated further that the police and other security
agencies were on the ground to handle the crisis.
He
said, “What these people are writing is not correct, Soldiers were not deployed
and couldn’t have carried out the shooting.
said, “What these people are writing is not correct, Soldiers were not deployed
and couldn’t have carried out the shooting.
“Our
men were on patrol duty at Keffi. The students, who were protesting, had
blocked the road but soldiers did not have any altercation with them.
men were on patrol duty at Keffi. The students, who were protesting, had
blocked the road but soldiers did not have any altercation with them.
“There
were the police and other security agencies, who were on the ground to handle
the situation.
were the police and other security agencies, who were on the ground to handle
the situation.
“There
is also this information we have that the police even recovered some arms from
the students who were protesting.”
is also this information we have that the police even recovered some arms from
the students who were protesting.”
Source: Punch
