The management of the Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday, announced the expulsion of 27 students for their alleged role in a recent protest that occurred on the campus during which properties were vandalised.
It was earlier reported that some students of the polytechnic, displeased with the arrest of some of their colleagues, living in Owode, a community near Ede by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had stormed the campus of the institution and staged a violent protest on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
During the protest, the staff club of the polytechnic was attacked with several vehicles damaged by the protesters.
The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Sola Lawal, when contacted after the protest for reaction, said the management would investigate and unravel the remote and immediate causes of the incident.
Unveiling the outcome of the probe in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, Lawal said apart from 27 students who were expelled, two ex-students union leaders were barred from entering the campus of the polytechnic, while eight students were suspended for two academic sessions.
He said, “Gentlemen of the press, you will recall that the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State constituted an investigation committee to unravel the miseries surrounding the student’s crisis/rampage of Thursday, May 9, 2024, leading to the stoning of people at the senior staff club.
“The unprovoked attitude led to the vandalism of individual and institution’s properties. This unwarranted action negates the motto of the great citadel which is ‘Knowledge, Skill And Character’, which the institution is known for.
“After a painstaking and thorough investigation, the following decisions were arrived at:
“Expelled students – 27 (HND 1 & 2); suspended students for two academic sessions – eight (HND 2).
“Two former students union leaders were banned from entering the campus with the immediate effect.”