Violent protest shuts down activities at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike

A violent protest by students against the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike policy of ‘no school fees, no exam’ has shut down academic activities at the tertiary institution located in Umuahia.

The Institution had before the beginning of 2023/2024 academic session increased tuition from a little over eighty thousand naira to over one hundred and twenty thousand Naira.

Trouble started when students were prevented from writing the semester exams which started on Monday the 5th of February for non payment of school fees.

The protest which started peacefully later turned violent as students were observed destroying some structures within the school premises.

They also blocked the Umuahia/Ikot-Ekpene highway as students raised bonfire disrupting vehicular traffic and preventing newsmen present from recording both sound and videos.

Reacting to this development the University acting Public Relations Officer, Patrick Opara, said students were duly notified of the increment in fees.

Audio 1

He insists that students should pay the fees to be allowed to sit for exams.

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Following the violent protest which resulted in security agents firing live rounds into the air to disperse the protesting students, academic activities at the University have been shut down.

Students of the institution were evicted from the hostels and asked to go home.

INDEFINITE SHUT DOWN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND SUSPENSION OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Meanwhile, the School Authorities have announced indefinite shutdown and suspension of academic activities in the institution following the violent protests by the students.

In a letter titled “Indefinite shutdown and suspension of academic activities” and signed by Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, the students were asked to vacate the University premises as those described as miscreants were said to have violated the long existing peace in the institution claiming that they were not allowed to take their 1st Semester examination owing to their failure to pay their fees.

The statement stated that the miscreants took over the University, chasing and pursuing the Vice-Chancellor, damaging his official vehicle and those of his officials claiming that they were not allowed to take their 1st Semester examination owing to their failure to pay their charges.

See statement below 👇👇