Federal University students refuse to resume due to safety concerns.

Students of the Federal University Lokoja have vowed not to return to class until both the federal and state governments implement adequate safety measures.

Despite the institution’s indefinite closure by the management, the students insist they will continue protesting outside the campus.

Ahmed Suleiman, the spokesperson for the protesters, stated, "The tragic deaths of our fellow students in recurring accidents have gone on for too long. We have remained patient because the school management and government kept assuring us that such incidents would not happen again. Yet, another accident occurred this week. We can no longer tolerate this."

Another protester lamented, "We have lost innocent Nigerian students who only came to Lokoja to study. Is it a crime to seek admission into the Federal University Lokoja?

"If we fail to protest these untimely deaths, those of us still in school remain at risk. We cannot continue losing young Nigerians in the name of education."

According to The Guardian, the Federal University Lokoja management announced the school's indefinite closure on Thursday due to the persistent student protests.

"Students are therefore required to vacate the campuses on or before 12 noon on Thursday, February 20, 2025," the management stated.

Reports indicate that a heavy-duty truck carrying palm oil and firewood, en route to Abuja, crashed into a shuttle mini-bus transporting students to school at Felele, Lokoja.

As a result, the students are demanding justice for their deceased colleagues. They have refused to remove the barricades blocking access to the campus, arguing that the management has yet to implement any safety measures to justify reopening the school.

Eyewitnesses report that the main road leading to the university along the Felele expressway in Lokoja is notorious for frequent accidents involving students.

Source: guardian.ng