Recall that the Plateau State Government issued a Press Statement on Monday 20th September 2021 to throw more light on the protests by students of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi who blocked the main highway into the State from both the main campus and the Jos campus respectively.

In the statement, background was given as to the reasons for the student protests which were triggered by an Industrial Action by the Polytechnic’s unions to press home their demands despite the fact that exams were slated to start same day (20th September 2021).

As at the time the last Press statement was issued which was shortly after the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden met with the unions, school management and student union representatives to resolve the matter, there was no reported death as a result of the protests, apart from some students that were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

However, the Government has today regretably received the sad news from the Police of the death of one of the students who was said to have been hit by a stray bullet and taken to hospital for treatment but could not survive.

This is a very sad development which the Government totally condemns and has therefore directed an immediate and thorough investigation to be conducted into the circumstances leading to the death of the student.

While commiserating with the family of the deceased student, the Government assures that it will not spare anyone found culpable in the death of the student as it is determined to ensure that justice is done.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor has directed a Government delegation to visit the family of the deceased student to sympathise with them over the sad and unfortunate situation.

Hon. Dan Manjang
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Plateau State.
21st September 2021.

THE PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE

At a meeting with labour leaders of the Polytechnic, Executives of the Student Union Government of the Institution, Management of the School and Government officials, led by His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, it was resolved that the lecturers should allow academic activities to continue while negotiations go on between the aggrieved unions and Government over the said demands. The implication of this is that students will continue with their examinations according to plan.

This information is contained in a press statement issued by the state’s commissioner for information, Hon. Dan Manjang.

The Statement

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT ON THE IMBROGLIO AT THE PLATEAU STATE POLYTECHNIC

Plateau State woke up to a mild drama that saw the staging of agitation by students over the refusal to conduct examination by the academic staff sake as a result of a strike to drive home labour demands. As a result, activities at the institution were disrupted.

This resulted into the blocking of the highway by students resulting in disruption of traffic along the ever-busy road.

When security personnel moved in to persuade the students to vacate the road and restore normalcy, a clash ensued between the students and security personnel.

Contrary to news making the rounds in the social media, no casualty has been recorded. However, some students sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment.

At a meeting with labour leaders of the Polytechnic, Executives of the Student Union Government of the Institution, Management of the School and Government officials, led by His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, it was resolved that the lecturers should allow academic activities to continue while negotiations go on between the aggrieved unions and Government over the said demands.

The implication of this is that students will continue with their examinations according to plan.

While Government recognizes the right of both students and staff to press home their demands, it enjoins all and sundry to do so with all civility and in accordance to the rule of law.

Plateau State belongs to all citizens and as such the agitation for one’s right should not deny the rights of others. Therefore all
must strive not to rupture the peaceful coexistence which has been built over the years, particularly in the face of recent developments.

ALWAYS THINK AND ACT PLATEAU.

Dan Manjang,
Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication,
Plateau State.
Monday, September 20, 2021.