The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, has been shut down indefinitely following a violent students’ protest on Tuesday morning.
The protest began around 10 a.m. after an alleged midnight robbery at the male hostel, where armed intruders reportedly stole valuables — including more than 50 phones — and injured two students with dangerous weapons.
In a statement signed by Registrar Alhaji Kasimu Salihu, the management said the demonstration, which started peacefully, was hijacked by hoodlums, forcing the school to suspend academic activities. Students were given two hours to vacate the campus until further notice.
Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of three suspects linked to the robbery, as well as 48 individuals — 36 men and 12 women — accused of participating in the protest.
Police spokesman CSP Ahmed Wakili said the robbery suspects admitted to conspiring to invade the hostel, steal laptops and phones, and assault students who resisted.
He added that security personnel used minimal force to disperse the crowd after incidents of shop looting and property destruction.
Investigations into both the robbery and the unrest are ongoing.
