Students of D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State, on Tuesday blocked the Itori/Ewekoro corridor of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to protest the alleged killing of one of their colleagues by suspected armed robbers.
The students alleged that the armed men invaded a students’ hostel in Eruku community on Monday night, carting away valuables and shooting three students during the attack.
A female final-year student, who sustained a gunshot wound, was rushed to Shodipo Hospital in Eruku but later died from her injuries.
Two other students were also injured, with one reportedly transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, for further treatment.
The protest caused traffic disruption along the busy expressway as the students demanded improved security around the institution and its host communities.
Speaking during the protest, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Opeyemi Ogunuga, lamented the recurring attacks on students by suspected criminals, alleging that many had been robbed while travelling to and from the school.
He said the students had repeatedly appealed to the authorities to strengthen security in the area but claimed that little had been done.
“No student should lose their lives while pursuing an education.
We demand immediate action to protect lives and restore confidence in the safety of the area,” Ogunuga said.
Addressing the protesters, the Area Commander of the Ewekoro Division, ACP Seyi Williams, described the incident as unfortunate and assured the students that the police would carry out a thorough investigation.
He expressed sympathy to the students and promised that those behind the attack would be identified and brought to justice.
Williams, however, appealed to the students to reopen the highway, noting that it is a federal road used daily by thousands of commuters, and urged them not to disrupt the movement of innocent motorists and residents.
Meanwhile, the management of D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic has postponed examinations earlier scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday until Friday to allow affected students recover from the incident.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Timetable, Examination and Academic Calendar Committee, Engr. Gideon Adekunle.
“Exams continue on Friday, July 30, as scheduled on the timetable. The new schedule for the postponed exams will be communicated in due course,” he said