Nov. 3, 2023

The Management of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, says all 200- to 600-level Medical Students of the institution were suspended because they planned to destroy facilities of the University.

This is contained in a press statement, signed by Tser Vanger, Principal Assistant Registrar (Information & Public Relations) of the varsity in Makurdi.

The university had come under serious criticism from stakeholders, civil societies and the PDP over the one-month suspension of the affected students, announced on Monday.

Reacting to the concerns raised by stakeholders over the matter, the management recalled that despite an agreement reached with the students after a series of meetings, the students reneged on the deal they endorsed themselves and resolved to boycott lectures, leaving the management with no option but to suspend them.

“And in spite of the wide condemnation of the students by their lecturers, they continued holding clandestine meetings and planning to stage a bigger protest and possibly cause destruction.

“Security reports indicated that the students had made contact with external associates to prosecute the next phase of the protest.

“Consequent upon this and the reports emanating from the Security Unit, Students Affairs and Academic Staff of the College of Health Sciences, the Management was left with no option than to suspend the 200- to 600-level students of the College for one month,” the statement indicated.

It said the University Management got wind of clandestine moves by the affected students to disrupt their academic activities over sundry grievances.

According to the statement, “Upon learning about the concerns of the students, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tor Iorapuu, delegated the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Mike Odey, and other management staff to invite them for dialogue.

“The dialogue held and the only grievance of the students was their demand that 200-level medical students be relocation of to Block C. And this was appropriately handled.

“The report was to be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor on October 25, the same day the students decided to embark on the demonstration after all assurances were given to them during a meeting the previous day.

“Remaining defiant, the students marched to Government house where they were addressed by the Commissioners for Health, and Information, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, who asked them to list their problems and choose some representatives to speak with the Governor but they refused, insisting that all of them must go in.

“It was at this point that the Governor’s aides and other officials left the students at the Government House Roundabout where the Vice-Chancellor who had also met them, advised them to return to the campus,” the statement added. (NAN)