The administration of Gateway Polytechnic in Sapaade, Ogun State, closed the school as a result of persistent student robberies.
For the next two weeks, the students are not to return to school, as instructed by the management.
According to Obasanjo News24, armed thieves have been targeting polytechnic students, robbing them of their belongings and sexually assaulting the women. Nine students were hurt and one student died in the most recent robbery event.
The robbers have attacked students and locals in the communities of Isara, Ipara, and Ode more than three times in the past two weeks.
Last Monday, the students organised a rally to voice their complaints since they were fed up with the constant attacks.
However, the circumstances have compelled the administration to close the school until things return to normal.
The Polytechnic’s Acting Registrar, J. O. Popoola, signed a memo acquired by DAILY POST in which the school administration announced the launch of online programmes for the just resumed 2023–2024 academic year.
The memo says, “I have been instructed by management to notify all polytechnic students that, as of Monday, December 4, 2023, all in-person lectures have been discontinued on campus for the next two weeks.
“In light of this development, all students are directed to enrol in online classes in order to continue lectures for the present semester. Online lectures have started with immediate effect.
“Therefore, until physical lectures resume at a date that will be announced soon, all students are to avoid the polytechnic premises.”
Olatunji Idowu Alexander, the president of the student union government at the university, also verified the news to Obasanjo New24 on Monday.