Authorities in Lagos State have apprehended 32 individuals in connection with the recent violent clashes at the Federal College of Education (FCE) in Akoka. The arrests come after tensions at the institution escalated into a full-blown confrontation, drawing the attention of law enforcement.
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, provided details on the incident in a statement released late Monday. According to Hundeyin, the conflict had been simmering for over three months, during which the staff of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka had locked out the Provost, effectively barring him from accessing his office. The reasons behind this drastic action are still unclear, but it appears to be rooted in deep-seated grievances between the Provost and the college staff.
In a bid to resolve the protracted standoff, a team from the Federal Ministry of Education was dispatched to the college on Monday. The team’s mission was to mediate and seek a resolution to the ongoing impasse. However, rather than facilitating a peaceful resolution, the visit sparked a violent reaction. Staff members, reportedly supported by students, attacked the visiting team from Abuja, causing extensive damage in the process. Over five vehicles were vandalized, and the Provost’s official quarters were also targeted during the chaos.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control as the rioting staff and students took further steps to express their anger. They blocked all the entrances and exits to the college, effectively trapping everyone inside and heightening the tension on the campus. This prompted an urgent response from the police, who arrived on the scene to restore order.
According to Hundeyin’s account, the police officers faced hostility from the rioters upon their arrival. The officers were pelted with stones and sachets of water as they attempted to quell the unrest. Despite the aggression, the police managed to bring the situation under control and arrest 32 suspects involved in the disturbances.
The suspects are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of their involvement in the violence. Meanwhile, officers from the Area Command in Surulere remain stationed at the college to ensure that peace is maintained and that there is no recurrence of the violence.
Interestingly, the college’s administration has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident. Their silence has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the root causes of the conflict and the measures that will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The lack of communication from the school authorities has also fueled speculation and concern among the college community and the public at large.
The events at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, have highlighted the volatile nature of the conflict between the Provost and the staff, which had been simmering under the surface for months. The involvement of students in the unrest adds another layer of complexity to the situation, raising concerns about the overall state of affairs at the institution.
As the investigation continues, there is a growing expectation that the authorities will provide more clarity on the situation. The involvement of the Federal Ministry of Education suggests that the matter is being taken seriously at the highest levels, and there may be further interventions to resolve the underlying issues. However, the immediate priority for the police and the college administration will be to ensure that peace is fully restored and that the college can return to its normal operations without further disruptions.
In the meantime, the broader implications of the incident are likely to be a topic of discussion among education stakeholders in Lagos and beyond. The violent confrontation at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s educational institutions, where internal disputes can quickly escalate into significant crises if not addressed promptly and effectively.
