Students’ protest turns violent in Bauchi, as 48 arrested over Highway Blockade By Abdulkareem Mohammed, Bauchi
Students’ protest turns violent in Bauchi, as 48 arrested over Highway Blockade
By Abdulkareem Mohammed, Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 48 suspects following a violent protest by students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, which led to the blockade of the Bauchi–Tafawa Balewa–Dass highway, destruction of property, and looting of shops.
The incident began in the early hours of 12 August 2025, when the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the institution alerted the police to a security breach.
According to the police, unidentified hoodlums had scaled the institution’s fence and attacked students in their hostels, forcefully taking mobile phones and other valuables.
Some students sustained injuries after confronting the attackers.
Police detectives from E’ Division rushed to the scene, took the injured to the polytechnic’s clinic for first aid, and listened to the students’ grievances, which centred on the shortage of security personnel, inadequate medical facilities, and other welfare issues.
The Deputy Rector and Registrar reportedly addressed the students, but the situation escalated when some began burning tyres, hurling stones at motorists, and looting nearby shops.
Reinforcement teams were deployed to disperse the crowd, with the police applying what they described as “minimal force” to restore order.
Thirty-six male students and 12 female students were arrested. The female suspects were later released, while the male students are being screened to determine those who will face prosecution.
Meanwhile, a separate police investigation led to the arrest of three suspects alleged to be behind the robbery attack on the student lodges.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Divisional Police Officer CSP Yahaya Yunusa apprehended 20-year-old Mansur Yakubu, alias Chasu; 20-year-old Abbas Auwal; and 20-year-old Musa Bala, alias Baban Nani all residents of Lushi in Bauchi metropolis.
Police say the suspects confessed to conspiring with at least 13 others, including individuals identified only by nicknames such as Kalifa, Daddy, Soja, Baki, Sunusi (aka Ba Sulhu), Yellow, Mardi, Bello, R-Kelly, Muktazu, Sani (aka Janwuya), and Aikin Allah.
The gang allegedly targeted the students’ hostels, stealing phones and laptops, and assaulting those who resisted.
One of the prime suspects, Musa Bala, reportedly admitted to being recruited by “Daddy” of Birshin Fulani to carry out the attack.
Police say Bala is an ex-convict who served two years for a similar offence and was released from prison just three months ago.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the Criminal Investigation Department to probe the circumstances that led to the students’ unrest. While condemning the violent protest, the CP reaffirmed the police’s respect for freedom of expression but warned that such rights must not be used to justify lawlessness.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and vowed to take decisive action against any individuals or groups disrupting public order in Bauchi State.
Following the unrest, academic activities at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, have been suspended.
