Aaior K. Comfort

Students of the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, set the residence of the college’s Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, on fire. This protest, which also led to the vandalization of his vehicle, was in response to alleged extortion of N23 million by the college’s management regarding index registration for 250 graduating students.

The unrest was sparked by claims that students were being charged an additional N65,000 for a newly introduced Public Health programme, on top of the N30,000 they had already paid. The programme was reportedly merged with the Department of Environmental Health to secure certification.

In reaction, students stoned vehicles and targeted the provost’s residence. Some college staff fled the scene as tensions escalated, while security forces eventually restored order.

Provost Saidu-Sauwa denied the allegations, calling them “fictitious, baseless, and mischievous.” He refuted claims of extortion or any introduction of new courses, insisting that all college funds are held in a Single Treasury Account, inaccessible to individuals, including himself. He suggested the protest might have been influenced by media reports from an anonymous source.

Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that investigations are ongoing and further details will be provided soon.