Witnesses said the attack occurred in the early hours of the day, with armed intruders allegedly scaling the school’s perimeter wall to gain access to the hostel. The assailants, described by police as “unscrupulous elements,” reportedly carted away more than 50 mobile phones and other valuables, leaving at least two students injured.
What began as a demonstration over security lapses quickly degenerated when, according to the school’s statement, “hoodlums who do not mean well for the students and institution” hijacked the protest. By mid-morning, the Polytechnic’s main gate had become the focal point of angry chants, with students demanding urgent action from authorities.
The Registrar, Alhaji Kasimu Salihu, announced the shutdown in an official statement, directing all students to vacate the campus within two hours. “Against the background of this ugly situation, the management hereby orders the immediate closure of academic activities,” the statement read, adding that the decision was taken to prevent further escalation.
Some students, speaking anonymously, accused the institution of neglecting campus security. One, identified as Ismail Abubakar, said: “Students are not safe off campus and on campus. They collected more than 50 phones during the robbery and wounded a couple of students with dangerous weapons.” The Student Union Government President, Haruna Umar, described the incident as unprecedented in the school’s history.
Law enforcement agencies moved in swiftly. Bauchi State Police Command spokesman, CSP Ahmed Wakili, confirmed that three suspected robbers had been arrested. According to him, intelligence received from the institution’s Chief Security Officer revealed how the gang entered the hostel, threatened occupants, and inflicted injuries on those who resisted.
Police detectives conveyed the injured to the Polytechnic’s clinic for treatment and later deployed reinforcements to quell the protest. Wakili said officers “applied minimal force” to disperse crowds after encountering resistance, and detained 48 people — 36 male and 12 female — for alleged involvement in the unrest.
The arrested robbery suspects reportedly confessed to conspiring and carrying out the attack. The police have vowed to prosecute them and maintain heightened security presence around the institution.
For now, the Polytechnic remains closed, with no indication from management on when academic activities will resume.