By Victoria Okpanachi
The joint security team of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, have arrested three students of the institution and five others suspected to be members of a secret society and hard drug peddlers during the ongoing second semester examination for 2023/2024 academic session.
According to Mrs. Uredo Omale, Director of Public Relations and Protocol, the apprehended students are all in HND II Business Administration.
They are Ajayi Oluwaseun Oladipo (Matric No. 2022/HND/BUS/275), Isenre Elijah Ayomide (Matric No. 2022/HND/BUS/146), and Omonijo Sunday (Matric No. 2022/HND/BUS/181).
The five other suspects who were arrested alongside the students are from Ekiti State but reside in Abuja are; Otitoju Christopher, Babatope Ayomide, Isaiah Babatunde, Shina Ayodeji, and Makinde Olalekan.
The arrests were part of proactive measures to prevent the infiltration of cultists and other outlawed groups into the campus.
These measures were implemented to counter plans by these suspects, reportedly in connivance with cyber-crime groups, to bring guns and other weapons into the campus to cause harm during the examinations.
The suspects were intercepted at the Polytechnic’s main gate while in a motorcade, although one driver escaped.
Professor Usman Ogbo, the Rector, commended the Examination Security Management Committee, the joint security team, and the intelligence team for their effective teamwork in thwarting the potential threat. He urged students to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the Security Unit.
He further advised parents and guardians to caution their children and wards by paying close attention to their behaviours and material acquisition without known sources of income,
while warning non-students who are interested in coming to the School for cult and other related social vices to keep off or face the full wrath of the law.
