Modibbo Adama University closed indefinitely over students’ riot, 200 level student killed

The authorities of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Adamawa State, on Monday, announced the indefinite closure of the university following a students’ riot.
The students had rioted on Sunday night over an alleged posting of blasphemous statement on Prophet Mohammad on group WhatsApp by a student of Chemical Engineering.
The Registrar of the university, Alhaji Ibrahim Ribadu, said in a statement that the decision to close the university indefinitely was taken at an emergency meeting of the university senate.
Ribadu advised all students to vacate the campus, latest by 2p.m.
Meanwhile, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Lawal Haruna, said there was no clash within the campus but that the rioters  concentrated on the destruction of places of worship and lecture theatres.
“The level of destruction is minor; it was an attempted arson situation as they attempted to set fire to buildings and places of worship.”
Haruna said that later in the night outside the campus, some students living off campus in Sangere area near the university engaged in a fight leading to injury of three students who were rushed to Yola Federal Medical Centre.
“One of the students sustained fatal injury and we lost him early in the morning,” Haruna said.
He said the deceased was a 200 level student of the Department of Regional Planning.
Haruna said that similar blasphemous posting occurred two weeks ago and that the university was still investigating the person involved before the latest one on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, MAUTECH students have deserted the institution.
There had been growing tension in the institution, following a recent students’ union election that polarised the students along religious lines.
Speaking on the development, Public Relations Office of the institution, Hajiya Halima Bala, said she has no details of the destruction in the school.
Bala said that students have been packing out of the school while security has been beefed up.
Bala said that the first semester examination scheduled to commence today (Monday) has been suspended.
“As I talk to you now, the university management meeting is ongoing. After the management meeting, there will be Senate meeting for the next line of action to be taken by the university,” Bala said.