It is no longer news that Friday, the 17th day of February, 2017 will forever remain evergreen in the minds of FUTO students as the institution witnessed the worst form of protest/riot over the purported hike in tuition fees, no free Wi-Fi (as proposed), incessant increase in course registration fees and other pressing issues. The peaceful protest which was initiated by a well-known student activist, a former SUG PRO in the person of Comr. Ogbonna Collins popularly known as ‘Rochas’,turned to a violent one after he was arrested by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
The protest began as early as 6am with mobilization of students staying off campuses before heading to the hostels to mobilize more angry Nigerian Students to join in the protest. Around 8am, the institution was lit with a peaceful march down to senate building with students on black outfit carrying placards written “Prof. F. C. Eze must go”, “Say no to hike is school fees”, “We need more banks in FUTO”, “Federal University of Money, Owerri”. No vehicle (especially staff vehicles) was allowed to enter the school; all went well not until security operatives (Police, DSS, SARS) stormed FUTO with full force like an angry lion looking for who to devour. The Vice-Chancellor on sighting the angry scampered for safety without uttering a single word to the student (which could have ended the protest).
Students later marched down to various lecture halls to make sure no lecture was ongoing. It is worthy to note that a lecturer (name withheld) was whisked out of a classroom and asked to stop his lectures for his own benefit. Everything that happened was a peaceful one. All hell went loose when our very own activist, Rochas was accosted, beaten and arrested by DSS after they engaged him in a shootout while trying to catch him. After he was whisked away, the whole protest turned violent.
Firstly, students marched to senate to destroy properties but they were stopped by the police who used tear gas to dismiss the mob. However, after much trial, students were able to destroy most of the vehicles parked at Senate, threw heavy stones on the aluminium windows, and broke the senate gate with other heavy damages. Later, the mob marched to Diamond bank where they destroyed most the facilities at the bank including vehicles parked at the bank. Before the police could intervene, the angry mob marched to the ICT building where they did the most fatal damage. Almost all the laptops, printers, UPS, scanners, and other accessories worth thousands of naira were looted in broad day. The building was vandalized and the windows were damaged. Other damages were also done at strategic buildings like Library, SEET and SMAT complex, SUG resource centre, SOSC building. Later, the police men came and intervened by arresting students, and shooting of tear gas. Sanity was later restored on campus and information came from Abuja that the students should vacate the hostels before 4pm or else face the law. Academic activities were also suspended till further notice.
Meanwhile, most students expressed their annoyance on the purported hike in tuition fee when interviewed by reporters from FUTO students’ society of Journalist. Read their reactions: “Our school fees has been unreasonably increased, imagine year one paying over 100 thousand naira for tuition and acceptance fee”, “it is a taboo for a Federal University to pay such a high amount”.
The school management is yet to make an official statement with regards to the protest, Rochas is yet to be released, students have vacated the hostels and academic activities has been shut down till further notice.
#SayNoToHikeInFees
#FUTOProtest2017

By Harrisson Godswill, chemical engineering student at Futo, Author at www.techvillz.com

The security personnel escalated the situation from my point of view.

It could have ended peacefully if the police or DSS didn't come charging

you got that right

Una go still pay for damages..who caused it does not matter?.. The students reacted wrongly.. Na una sabi sef

The person below me have something reasonable to say.

the guy above me, must u book space huh

The entire generation of students who witnessed this will pay damages....

UNAAB's 30th of Sept. 2004 comes to mind. ....Ojo Buruku esu gbomimu

Have nothing to say.

The Nation may be driven by the same ancient impulses. PLEASE continue the struggles and successes. We will all witness the nation glory and tragedies.

Ok

U will pay the new school fees plus damage fee, na una go lose pass, hope u achieve laptop

The said Rochas has since been released.
Evaluation of damages is on going.
School resumes 13th March.

My joy is that nobody was killed. When I saw "black friday" my heart skipped!


Our leaders only listen when there's violence, too bad.

This is what you get from a govt that's insensitive about citizen's travails.. But here's what's gonna happen; students would be made to pay damage fee, swear and sign an undertaken in a court of reputable jurisdiction.. Protest against Increase in tuition has procedures and the students ought not to have been violent

I think d nigerian university system don't want to understand dat d nigerian students can no longer cope with stringent policies put in place virtually to oppress and put student underr total control
We ar becoming wiser and if u noticed pple don't care paying for damages as long as their voices ar being heard

Give students a chance to express their grievances and work toward addressing it, I think d learnedcommunity (so called) has become a place for oppression

Techvillz:
All hell went loose when our very own activist, Rochas was accosted, beaten and arrested by DSS after they engaged him in a shootout while trying to catch him. After he was whisked away, the whole protest turned violent.

You mean the Rochas in question had a gun on him?

A shoot out is an exchange of gunfire between two armed group until one group retreats or is defeated.

Protesting is now a criminal offence punishable only by the police,Das and Military....
when IPOB where protesting. shey they said we are foolish....
ask 2face why he cancelled his protest?
Check well my fellow Nigerians this present government wants us to be suffering and smiling without complaining.
But only Fayose and Nnamdi Kanu pass them. you can ask pastor Suleiman.

For the past 2months now...no good news has come out of Imo state....but rochas is always jumping up and down as if he's campaigning...Well done sir..people eyes dun clear.

well, the DSS caused it all.. They should have left them to protest peacfully and leave. How can federal universities be charging 100k and above for fees?

ITbomb:
The security personnel escalated the situation from my point of view.

It could have ended peacefully if the police or DSS didn't come charging

Blame the inexperience VC. He should have not invited the security operatives ,also he failed to address the angry students.

Well said. I still don't know why DSS is always involved in simple police cases.

JaypeeAnics:
For the past 2months now...no good news has come out of Imo state....but rochas is always jumping up and down as if he's campaigning...Well done sir..people eyes dun clear.

According to someone, Rochas is the wealthiest person to ever govern Imo, but the worst experience Imo ever had.

Nothing has been working well under this government. I mean NOTHING. Everyone has been affected negatively either financially, morally, physically, academically, etc. But God will see us through this hard times.

nkhay:
My joy is that nobody was killed. When I saw "black friday" my heart skipped!


Our leaders only listen when there's violence, too bad.

Prepare for war when you want peace.

supereagle:

According to someone, Rochas is the wealthiest person to ever govern Imo, but the worst experience Imo ever had.

Now I know most politicians are heartless...rochas knows too well that he's not performing well and he's people are suffering. but he chose to walk and talk anyhow. . How I wish Nigeria's can stone just one wicked politician to death and he'll be an example for the rest to see.

A