Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University’s Yelwa Campus in Bauchi has been temporarily shut down by the management in response to student protests following the tragic fatal stabbing of Joseph Agabaidu.
The incident occurred during a robbery attempt, and the victim was a final-year Geology student of the institution.
A circular, obtained by IgbereTV and signed by the Deputy Registrar (Academic), Haj. Fatima Inuwa Abdullahi, indicates that the management has approved the closure of the university.
The shutdown is scheduled for an initial period of one week, starting from Monday, December 4, and concluding on Sunday, December 10.
The circular states that the primary objective behind the decision is to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order. Additionally, it alleges that the student protests were manipulated by hoodlums, further emphasizing the need for measures to restore and maintain peace on the campus.
The circular partly reads: “As you may recall, there was an alleged murder of Joseph Aga Baidu, a 500-level student of Applied Geology recently at Yelwa Kagadama, which made some miscreants embark on protests around Yelwa Campus, consequently disrupting the peace.
“In view of the above, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Senate, has approved the closure of the university for an initial period of one week with effect from Monday 4th to Sunday 10th December, 2023.
” Therefore, I am directed to request all undergraduate students on both campuses to vacate the university premises with immediate effect, as failure to comply may lead to appropriate sanction by the constituted authority.”
DAILY POST reports that tension erupted on Monday at the university as students protesting the tragedy were teargassed by operatives of the Bauchi Police Command.
The robbery incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night when the 500-level Geology student who was said to be returning to his lodge situated around the Yelwan Tudu market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of the Bauchi metropolis, was attacked at about 7 pm.
The victim reportedly died from his injuries.
Consequently, the planned protest embarked on by the students was disrupted by the police, who stationed their armoured personnel carrier opposite the entrance of the institution on Monday.
The situation escalated as students closed the gate, disrupting campus activities, while attempts to pacify them were met with solidarity songs.
