Tension at KWARAPOLY as EFCC operation sparks student protest

There was tension at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, on Wednesday following reports of the presence of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which triggered panic among students.

THE PRIME NEWS gathered that the anti-graft agency’s operatives were sighted around areas close to the institution at a time examinations were ongoing, heightening anxiety within the campus community.

Eyewitnesses said confusion erupted after an officer was allegedly seen chasing a student, prompting many students to flee in different directions.

“People suddenly started running without knowing exactly what was happening. The sight of armed operatives created fear across the campus,” a student, who preferred anonymity, said.

Another student expressed concern over the timing of the operation, noting that it disrupted the academic atmosphere.

“It was not the right time for such an operation, especially during exams. Many of us were shaken,” the student added.

Angered by the development, some students staged a protest, burning tyres along sections of the Old Jebba Road leading to the institution to register their grievances.

When our correspondent visited the area, traces of the protest were still visible, with burnt tyre remains at the entrance of the school.

Security presence was also reinforced, as a police patrol van from the Oke-Oyi Division was stationed at the main gate to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Reacting, the management of the Polytechnic assured the public that normalcy had been restored across the campus and its environs.

In a statement, the institution clarified that the security operation that triggered the panic did not take place within the campus but in nearby Agbede community.

“The incident originated from reports of security operatives carrying out official duties in Agbede village, which caused concern among some students,” the statement noted.

The management further stated that no student was arrested during the operation and described the protest as limited in scale.

It commended the swift response of security agencies and the institution’s internal security team for containing the situation without escalation.

The Polytechnic also assured that academic activities, including scheduled examinations, continued without disruption.

“Students writing their examinations have been duly attended to by invigilators, and exams are ongoing as planned,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its commitment to safety, the management urged parents, guardians, and the general public to remain calm and go about their normal activities, assuring that the campus environment remains secure.

Meanwhile, attempts to get an official reaction from the EFCC Ilorin Zonal Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to its Public Relations Officer, Ayodele Babatunde Joseph, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.