Daud Olatunji
In response to a series of harrowing attacks by suspected armed robbers, Gateway Polytechnic (ICT), located in Sapaade, Ogun State, has taken the drastic step of temporarily closing its doors for the next two weeks.
The decision was prompted by a surge in violence, with armed robbers conducting more than three assaults on student hostels in the past fortnight.
These incidents, marked by instances of rape, injuries, and theft of valuables, culminated in a tragic incident on Saturday.
Hoodlums invaded off-campus hotels in the Larufi area of Ode, resulting in one fatality and the injury of nine others.
Expressing their frustration, students staged a protest last week to voice their concerns. Particularly affected were students residing in off-campus hotels in Ode, Ipara, and Isara – neighboring communities to Sapaade, the institution’s host.
In response to the escalating insecurity, the school management opted to close the polytechnic until normalcy is restored. However, recognizing the importance of education, an online class alternative was swiftly implemented for students who recently resumed the 2023/2024 academic session.
Confirming the development, the Student Union Government (SUG) President, Olatunji Idowu Alexander, revealed that physical lectures have been suspended.
An internal memo signed by the Acting Registrar, J O Popoola, outlined the directive, stating that all physical lectures on campus are suspended for the next two weeks from Monday, 4th December, 2023.
The memo emphasizes the commencement of online lectures, urging students to participate in virtual classes to ensure the continuity of the current semester.
It concludes with a directive for students to avoid the polytechnic premises until a communicated date when physical lectures are set to resume.
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