Following the disruption of peace at the Federal College of Forestry, Jericho, Ibadan on Tuesday, October 24, the management of the institution has ordered the immediate suspension of academic activities and shut down of the school.

The decision was communicated to the Heads of Departments, Dean of Student Affairs, Chief Security Officer, Student Union Government (SUG) President, members of staff, and students via an internal circular dated October 25.

The circular signed by the Registrar of the College, Mrs Abebi Agun said all academic activities are to be suspended and the College closed down with immediate effect till further notice.

The directive also asked all students who are residents of the College to vacate their halls of residence immediately and without any delay.

The circular read: “Sequel to the breach of public peace and disruption of academic activities occasioned by the invasion of the College by officials of EFCC and the consequential reactions and protest by students, I have the directive to inform all members of staff and students that the College Management has directed that all academics activities be suspended and the College closed down with immediate effect till further notice.

“In view of this, all students who are residents in the College are hereby directed to vacate their halls of residence immediately and without any delay.”

Confirming the closure, a source within the school said one of the Heads of Departments communicated the directive to the staff through the group WhatsApp social media platform.

The message as sent by the HOD reads in part “In view of the ongoing crisis in the College and the effort to ensure peace, College Management wishes to announce the closure of all academic activities till further notice.

“All students are directed to vacate the halls of residence and College premises with immediate effect till further notice.”

The Nation reports that panic struck on Tuesday when officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were allegedly detained by students of the Federal College of Forestry, Jericho, Ibadan.

There are different accounts of what led to the situation as gathered from different sources.

While a source claimed that the EFCC operatives were in the school to arrest suspected internet fraudsters, another account has it that the operatives were misled into the hostel by a suspect under investigation by the agency.

However, all sources confirmed that the incident shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the College as the students watched the operatives of the antigraft agency invade the hostel.

The operatives were said to have been locked in the hostel as the students mobilise to resist any operation.

A viral video of the incident seen by The Nation on Wednesday morning, showed the operatives shooting sporadically in the school environment. Some students injured during the attack were also shown in several videos.

In one of the videos, students were seen protesting with placards, chanting “EFCC Criminals”, “EFCC Ole”. Some students in another video were seen throwing stones at the operatives. (The Nation)

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