Academic activities at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Edo State have been shut down indefinitely as a result of students protests yesterday that almost went violent as students reportedly clashed with police and soldiers.

It was gathered that the students were protesting what they termed subtle attempt by the management of the school to increase students’ school fees.

The students kicked against the policy of the current management which said 200 level students should pay the exact money they paid last session in 100 level which is against the previous system where the students pay less as they move higher.

The students refused all entreaties from the school management. They seized a truck load of rice which they reportedly set ablaze after allegedly emptying the contents.

When the entreaties failed, the management conveyed an emergency Senate meeting where the action of the students was condemned and school shut indefinitely.

A press statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Edward Aihevbe, said the decision to close the institution indefinitely was reached after the University’ Senate reviewed the students’ protest.

He said the university’s Senate viewed the protest as uncalled for and unnecessary as management was already looking into their grievances. The students barricaded the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.

  He denied social media report that two students were shot by security agents.

He said the students were given until 4pm to vacate the institution. “No student was shot. They barricaded the highway and soldiers escorting an Army vehicle that was passing the road had to shoot into the air to scare the students away.”

Credit: leadership