Borno govt shuts down colleges after students’ clash

The Borno State Government has requested the closure of two tertiary institutions in the state after students’ unrest for two weeks.

The affected institutions include Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri, and Umar Ibn Ibrahim El Kanemi College of Science and Technology, Bama.

A statement endorsed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Mr Mohammed Abatcha, on Thursday, in Maiduguri, stated that the decision was to avoid violence escalation.

Abatcha said, “As a result of reported cases of clashes between students of Kashim Ibrahim College of Education, Maiduguri, and Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Elkanemi College of Education, Science and Technology, Bama, on 27th May 2021, over the issue of hostel accommodation.

“The Ministry of Higher Education in consultation with the management of the two colleges has decided to close the two tertiary institutions for two weeks.

“The decision became necessary to avoid further escalation of the clashes and to save lives and properties pending further investigation of the root cause of the matter.”

Insurgency made the state government to relocate the Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education Science and Technology, Bama, to Maiduguri, to share buildings with Kashim Ibrahim College of Education.