Nigeria’s Gateway ICT Polytechnic, located in Sapaade, Ogun State, has been forced to shut down for two weeks after a series of robbery attacks on its students.
This comes after latest robbery incident last Saturday, saw a student killed while about nine others were injured.
According to reports, the robbery attacks have been ongoing for some time, and the management of the polytechnic decided that the safety of the students was paramount.
Armed robbers had been attacking students of the polytechnic, dispossessing them of their valuables while also raping the female students.
As a result, they made the difficult decision to shut down the institution with immediate effect. The students have been directed to stay out of school for at least two weeks.
The marauders had in the last two weeks carried out more than three attacks on the students and residents of Isara, Ipara and Ode communities.
Angered by the incessant attacks, the students last week staged a protest to express their grievances.
The situation has however forced the management to shut down the school pending when normalcy is restored.
The President of the Students’ Union Government of the polytechnic, Olatunji Idowu Alexander, also confirmed this development on Monday.
In a memo signed by the acting Registrar of the institution, J. O. Popoola, the school management announced the introduction of online classes for the students who just resumed for the 2023/2024 academic session.
The memo reads, “I have the directive of management to inform all students in the polytechnic that all physical lectures have been suspended on campus for the next two weeks with effect from Monday, December 4, 2023.
“In view of this development, all students are to note that online lectures have commenced with immediate effect. Therefore, students are directed to join online classes in order to continue lectures for the current semester.
“To this end, all students are to steer clear of the polytechnic premises till physical lectures resume again at a date that will be communicated soon.”
