Suspected cultists launch attack on Ibadan Polytechnic, vandalise six cars, two tricycles

TRACKING>>Twenty four hours after the management of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, announced resumption of students, some people suspected to be cultists numbering three, Tuesday afternoon launched an attack on the Ibadan campus, of the institution.

The suspected cultists vandalised six cars and two tricycles belonging to some staff of the institution and commercial operators during the Commando like attack within South Campus of the institution.

The students who are currently on mid-semester break are expected to resume on Wednesday.

A source within the campus informed that the suspected cultists believed to have struck in protest of the decision of the management invaded the institution around 3:40pm on Tuesday.

He said, “There were rains of gunshots as some unknown men disrupted the peace at the South campus entrance of the institution on Tuesday afternoon, 7th May, 2019.

“The incident began some minutes to 4 in the afternoon, where various properties were damaged ranging from private cars, tricycles, the commercial bus, and the security house at the entrance of the Institution.

“Those people were three with two holding guns, and one with axe. They were in blue top and black beret. When they came, the security men manning the gate ran for their lives as they were shooting in the air as well as destroying cars with the axe.

“Before the security operatives would reach the venue of the situation, the perpetrators of the acts have left the scene.”

The institution had announced resumption of students on Monday noting that the resumption became necessary in order for the students to continue their academic exercise for the remaining part of the first semester 2018/2019 academic session. The resumption directive was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mrs Modupe Theresa Fawale.

Fawale, in a statement issued disclosed that a town-and-gown meeting was held on Monday, with parents, guardians, and reaidents of neighbouring communities as well as traditional rulers, religious leaders and landlord associations yielded positive results which culminated in the decision to re-open the institution forthwith.

The Registrar, in the statement, added that each student is to pay the sum of two thousand naira (N2,000) as reparation for the damages of the institution’s facilities.

She also disclosed that each student will also among other things swear to an affidavit to be of good conduct while those residing in neighbouring communities would sign a bond with their landlords to be of good conduct and worthy ambassadors of the institution, as she explained further that each student is also to write an undertaking to be of utmost good conduct.

The Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Soladoye Adewole who confirmed the incident however insisted that the school is resuming on Wednesday.