The security team at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, arrested eight suspected cultists and drug peddlers during the ongoing second semester exams.
This information was shared in a statement by the institution’s Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Uredo Omale, on Wednesday.
Omale stated that among the arrested suspects, three are students of the institution, all in HND II in the Department of Business Administration. The other five suspects are non-students from Ekiti State but based in Abuja.
“The eight arrested suspects have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution,” Omale said.
She added, “Their arrest was due to proactive measures by the management of Kogi Polytechnic to prevent invasion by cultists and other outlawed groups. They planned to enter the campus with guns and other dangerous weapons in collaboration with cyber-crime suspects known as ‘yahoo yahoo.’ Their intent was to cause harm and commotion during the exams under the guise of end-of-exam graduation ‘celebration’ rituals, which had been banned due to security concerns.”
Omale reported that the suspects were intercepted at the main entrance of the Polytechnic in a motorcade. “The driver of the second car jumped out of the vehicle and escaped,” she added.
Items recovered from the suspects included hard drugs wrapped in a polythene bag, papers for wrapping drugs, and a beret cap with a suspected cult symbol. The confiscated items also included two cars, various drugs, N14,000 in cash, and an MP3 player.
“The items recovered include a light green Mercedes Benz Saloon with Reg. Number EKITI STATE ‘MUE-598-AE’ and a black Toyota Lexus Saloon with Reg. Number EBONYI STATE ‘SKA-78-AE,'” Omale detailed.
Rector Prof. Salisu Usman commended the security efforts. “The management is committed to constantly adopting a proactive approach to tackling security challenges effectively,” he told NAN. He praised the Examination Security Management Committee, the Joint Security team, and the Intelligence Team for their work.
The rector also urged students to remain vigilant against bad elements and advised parents and guardians to monitor their children’s behaviors and question any unexplained material acquisitions.
