Students of the Rivers State Polytechnic (Rivpoly) Bori have unleashed mayhem on the institution destroying properties worth millions of Naira.
The Tide learnt that worse affected were the school library, the computer centre as well as vehicles belonging to both the staff and visitors to the school.
The crisis was however traced to a student union election allegedly organised by students of Akwa-Ibom State origin in the Polytechnic.
Sources within the school informed The Tide that a final year student of Akwa-Ibom State origin, was allegedly arrested following an assault on three Policemen sent to resolve, a disagreement amongst the students during unauthorized election on Wednesday which was a public holiday.
According to the source, his arrest was later used by the students as an excuse to unleash mayhem on the institution.
Speaking in a telephone interview yesterday, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Mr. Obiankwo Worlu-Elechi said that Akwa-Ibom State students allegedly barricaded the gate to the school campus, claiming that their colleague had been killed by the Police brought in by the management.
Mr. Elechi also said that the management had earlier called for the suspension of the election following the on-going examination, stressing that the students disobeyed and went on with the election.
The Rector also claimed that the election also took place despite the public holiday.
A student, who spoke with The Tide on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Akwa Ibom student arrested by the Police was alive.
He, however, regretted that the action of student, who allegedly tore the uniforms of Policemen deployed to the school to quell what was turning into a violent disagreement among the Akwa Ibom students, was unwarranted and provocative.
The student also explained that the destruction by the rampaging students was unprecedented, saying that vehicles, computers, office equipment and furniture, among others, were either destroyed or looted.
In an interview with The Tide yesterday, president, Student Union Government (SUG), RIVPOLY, Comrade Queen Nwachukwu, expressed regret at the magnitude of destruction, saying that “the incident was uncalled for”.
The SUG President alleged that “there is more to the disturbances than anyone can imagine”, insisting that there was no reason why the Akwa Ibom Students should go ahead to hold an election that was not approved by the school’s management.
She explained that no election has been held by any of the chapters of the SUG representing any state or ethnic group in line with an understanding reached between the SUG leadership and the school’s management, and condemned the action of the Akwa Ibom students.
Nwachukwu alleged that the election and the subsequent violence which followed may have been instigated by outside forces from the state from where the students hail saying that there was no reason why the Akwa Ibom students should conduct election for their leaders on a public holiday despite the on-going examinations.
A speeding driver bus yesterday lost control and veered into a water fountain at Government House, Port Harcourt entrance. Picture shows bewildered passers-bye watching the up-turned bus inside the fountain