Tensions were high in Adamawa State on Monday as students of Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola, took to the streets to protest the prolonged power outage at the institution.
The protest, which began peacefully within the campus, quickly spilt into surrounding streets as students, chanting “We want electricity,” demanded urgent action from the school management and government authorities.
Chaos erupted when some protesters clashed with unsuspecting passersby, forcing police operatives to intervene and restore order.
Students said they had endured over three months without electricity, which they described as unbearable and detrimental to their academic performance and daily life.
“Our studies are suffering. It’s our right to have basic amenities like electricity, water, and shelter,” a student said.
Another added, “We can’t study effectively at night, we can’t sleep properly due to the intense heat, and we have to search for water outside the campus to bathe.”
Consequently, the Acting Registrar of Adamawa State Polytechnic, Simnawa Ayuba, announced the immediate closure of the institution for one week.
“Sequel to the demonstration by students on the main campus demanding the immediate restoration of power by YEDC, I wish to inform all students that the institution has been closed for one week. This is to enable the management to process the restoration of light,” Ayuba noted.
This marks the second protest by students in less than a year over poor living conditions, particularly the lack of electricity and water, which they claim continues to cripple their academic activities.
The school administration and the state government has yet to address the students’ demands as of the time of this report.
