STUDENTS from the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have set fire to the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, amid allegations of extortion.
During the violent protest, the students vandalized the Provost’s vehicle and set his house ablaze.
The unrest was sparked by accusations that the college management extorted N23 million from students regarding index registration fees for 250 graduating students.
It was reported that the dispute arose following the introduction of a new Public Health program, which was initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and Public Health Association of Nigeria.
To secure certification, the college reportedly merged the program with the Department of Environmental Health, resulting in an additional N65,000 fee for index registration, on top of the N30,000 already paid by students.
In response to the alleged extortion, the students reacted violently, throwing stones at vehicles and setting fire to the Provost’s residence.
Provost Saidu-Sauwa, however, refuted the accusations, calling them “fictitious, baseless, and mischievous.”
He denied any involvement in extorting students and rejected claims that a new course had been introduced, leading to additional charges.
He emphasized that the allegations stemmed from misinformation, challenging those spreading the rumors to present evidence.
He clarified that all funds belonging to the school are managed through the Single Treasury Account, to which neither he nor the management has personal access.
Kebbi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, stated that further details would be provided once information from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega became available.
Following the intervention of security agencies, normalcy has been restored at the college.
