Students ‘injured’ as UNIMAID cracks down on tuition hike protest

Many female students have been reported injured after security men clamped down on protesters at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

The students were said to have embarked on a protest on Tuesday over a tuition fee hike by the varsity.

A student who pleaded anonymity said the protest had started on Monday.

The source also disclosed that female students joined their colleagues to register their displeasure over the living conditions in the school.

According to the source, security operatives would later storm the protest ground to arrest some of the students.

“Many students took to their heels. As a result many were injured while unspecified numbers of them were taken to the security office where they were locked up in the cell,” the source said.

“Those who took part in the protest had their identification cards seized and evicted from their hostels by the management.

“Things took an ugly turn on Tuesday when more angry female students came out to protest over lack of electricity which resulted to poor availability of water in the institution.”

It is understood that some of the protesters pressed further, demanding the release of their colleagues.

Speaking of the incident, one of the alleged victims added: “I was attacked and harassed by security men while the protest was going on. They almost stripped me naked. I was also locked in the school security office.

“While at the school prison, I saw sick female students who were really tortured by the institution security men, they took our ID cards, torture us because we were protesting for our rights.

“Am highly disappointed in University of Maiduguri management board, what wrong have we committed by protesting for the decrease of tuition fees and requesting for improvement for light and water.”

WE’LL DEAL WITH STUDENTS WHO BREACH THE PEACE ON CAMPUS, VARSITY WARNS

In his reaction, A. M. Gimba, dean of students at UNIMAID, warned that the university management would deal with those trying to breach the peace on campus.

Gimba also said that the management was observing the current situation with keen interest, adding that it won’t tolerate unwanted behavior by students or intruders trying to destabilize activities in the university.

“Consequent upon this, the effort has already been put in place to address issues raised especially those on security and power supply,” the dean said.

“Regarding those suspended from the hostel, they will return as soon as investigation is concluded. Students are therefore advised to be of good behavior and avoid acts that may lead to creating chaos on the campus.”

The protest comes after a couple of tertiary institutions in Nigeria similarly witnessed demonstrations by its students for a variety of reasons.

This includes Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) which was eventually shut down, the Plateau State Polytechnic (PSP), and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) where the management also ordered a temporary closure.