An atmosphere of panic enveloped the Kwara State Polytechnic on Wednesday following the reported presence of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which triggered protests among students.
Findings by PUNCH Metro revealed that the anti-graft operatives were sighted patrolling areas around the institution while examinations were in progress, a development that heightened anxiety across the campus.
Eyewitnesses recounted that confusion erupted when students suddenly began fleeing in different directions, amid claims that an operative was seen chasing a student, further escalating tension.
A student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation caused widespread fear. “We suddenly saw people running in different directions. At first, no one understood what was happening, but the presence of armed operatives created panic across the campus,” the student said.
Another student criticised the timing of the operation, noting that it disrupted the examination atmosphere and left many students unsettled.
In reaction, some aggrieved students staged a protest, burning tyres along parts of Old Jebba Road leading to the institution.
When our correspondent visited the area, charred tyres were seen at the entrance of the campus, indicating the intensity of the protest.
Security presence was subsequently beefed up, with a police patrol van from the Oke-Oyi Division deployed at the main gate to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Reacting to the development, the institution’s management assured the public that calm had been restored, describing the protest as brief and limited.
The management clarified that the operation that sparked the unrest did not occur within the campus but in nearby Agbede community, stressing that no student was arrested.
It added that only a few students were involved in the protest and commended the swift response of security agencies and the institution’s internal security team for containing the situation.
According to the statement, academic activities were not disrupted, as students scheduled for examinations were duly attended to by invigilators and exams continued as planned.
The management further reassured parents, guardians and the general public of the safety of the campus, urging residents to go about their normal activities.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC proved abortive, as calls and messages to its Public Relations Officer, Ayodele Babatunde Joseph, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.