Kebbi students set fire to Provost’s residence over alleged N23m extortion
Some irate students of the College of Health and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have set fire to the residence of their Provost, Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, and vandalized his vehicles during a violent protest.
The demonstration was triggered by the allegations that the college management extorted N23 million from students regarding indes registration for 250 graduating students.
Sources within the college said the controversy stemmed from a newly introduced public health programme, initially affiliated with Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria.
To secure certification, the college merged the programme with the Environmental Health Department, leading to a demand for an additional N65,000 from each student for index registration, on top of the N30,000 already paid.
Students riots over alleged extortion
Accusing the management of extortion, the students reacted violently by pelting vehicles with stones and setting the Provost’s residence ablaze, forcing the college staff to scamper for safety before the arrival of security personnel.
Kebbi Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, while confirming the incident pledged to provide further details once information from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega is available.
The college’s mission to produce skilled healthcare professionals is now under scrutiny as the ongoing crisis raises concerns about its commitment to ethical standards.
