Student’s death: Bauchi varsity shut over protest

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi State has been shut down following students’ protest over the death of their colleague.

The ATBU Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, who announced the closure at a press conference in Bauchi, the state capital on Monday, said the university would be closed for one week.

He noted that the students’ protest followed the alleged murder of a 500-level student of Geology, Joseph Baidu, outside the campus on Saturday night.

The university spokesperson said: “We are closing down the school because students decided to hold a demonstration while the police were still investigating the matter.

“The murder took place outside the campus and the record we have revealed that the student lived outside the university campus, in spite of the fact that he is a final year student.

“The duty of the university security is to report the issue to the police for proper investigation and this is exactly what happened; so, the police are currently investigating the issue.”

Bappa, who regretted that the students’ agitation caused a general disorder within the university community, added: “With the closure of the school, the students have been directed to vacate all campuses immediately.

“Any student found on any of the campuses will face the wrath of the law.”

He restated the management’s readiness to address and redress the act of brigandage among students to ensure a smooth environment for teaching and learning.

The Star