Tension as EFCC Operation Triggers Protest at Kwara Polytechnic

Tension gripped the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, on Wednesday following the presence of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) around the institution, sparking panic and a brief protest among students.

 

The development, which coincided with ongoing examinations, led to confusion on and around the campus as students reportedly fled in different directions amid fears of a possible raid.

 

Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating online showed an officer allegedly chasing a student, further heightening anxiety within the school community.

 

“We suddenly saw people running in different directions. Nobody really understood what was happening at first, but the presence of armed operatives created fear across the campus,” a student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

 

Another student criticised the timing of the operation, saying, “It is wrong for such operations to take place when students are writing exams. It disrupted the entire atmosphere and left many of us shaken.”

 

Aggrieved by the situation, some students staged a protest, burning tyres along sections of Old Jebba Road leading to the institution.

 

Security presence was subsequently reinforced, with a police van from the Oke-Oyi Division stationed at the main gate to prevent further escalation.

 

Reacting, the Polytechnic management assured parents, guardians and the general public that calm had been restored.

 

“The management wishes to inform the general public… that a peaceful academic environment has been fully restored on campus and its immediate surroundings following a brief protest by a few students earlier today,” the statement read.

 

The institution clarified that the EFCC operation did not take place within the campus but in nearby Agbede village, which triggered concern among students.

 

“It is important to note that no arrests of students were made during the security operation,” the management added, noting that only a small number of students participated in the protest.

 

The school further commended the swift response of security agencies, stating that the situation was quickly contained without escalation.

 

It also maintained that academic activities were not disrupted, with examinations proceeding as scheduled.

 

“The road is clear and safe for travel. The Polytechnic remains committed to the safety, welfare, and academic progress of all its students and staff,” the statement added.