A Photo File : Bauchi Poly

The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, has been indefinitely closed following an unprecedented outbreak of violence by students in response to a brazen armed robbery at the male hostel.

The closure, announced by the polytechnic’s management on Tuesday, came after demonstrations escalated, with hoodlums storming the hostel late Monday and making off with gadgets including smartphones and laptops, and injuring at least two students.

Angered by what they viewed as gross negligence by the institution, students marched en masse to the main gate, barricading the Bauchi–Dass federal highway with debris and tyres to draw attention to their plight.

Initially peaceful, the protest spiraled into chaos when suspected outsiders hijacked the demonstration. Security men at the scene responded with tear gas, prompting retaliation from students who threw stones before order was restored.

SUG President Haruna Umar condemned the raid as “the first of its kind” in the institution’s history and emphasized that students were expressing legitimate grievances to management and governing bodies.

One of the injured was identified as Matta Musa, class representative of the NDI Computer Science program, who sustained a head injury. Others were rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment.

In response to the breakdown of order, Registrar Kasimu Salihu ordered an immediate shutdown, giving students two hours to vacate the premises until further notice.

Public Relations Officer Rabiu Wadda confirmed the crisis began as early as 4:00 a.m., and management is still assessing the full extent of the situation.

Police spokesman Ahmed Wakil confirmed law enforcement is on the scene restoring normalcy and promised a comprehensive statement once all details are compiled.

RECALL THAT, This is not the first time residents and students of the Gwallameji community, where many student lodges are located have protested insecurity. In June 2024, protests erupted after a wave of armed robberies and sexual assaults, with students and locals blocking the Bauchi Tafawa Balewa highway, burning tyres, and prompting police intervention.

On that occasion, the police had deployed tear gas to disperse crowds.

Reports indicated attacks on approximately 35 student lodges by well-armed gangs including machetes and knives. Allegations surfaced that some robbers were familiar to residents and evaded prosecution. In one of those incidents, a fatality was reported when a resident succumbed to stab wounds.