Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has been shut down following an unrest that broke out on the campus over the use of the institution as a temporary orientation camp for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The Polytechnic management said the decision to shut the institution was based on the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to safeguard lives and property after the students protested a management-approved short break in order to allow smooth conduct of the NYSC orientation exercise.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Amin, the management explained that the state government had earlier designated the Polytechnic as a temporary NYSC orientation camp due to prevailing security challenges in Kwara State.

According to the statement, previous orientation exercises did not disrupt academic activities because students were either on break or had not fully resumed. However, the current NYSC exercise coincided with full academic activities, prompting management to approve a three-week break for the students, effective Monday, January 19, 2026.

“The decision was taken to properly manage the situation and prevent any breakdown of law and order during the orientation camp,” the statement said.

Management, however, noted that some students opposed the break, arguing that they had just returned from the Christmas and New Year holidays. The disagreement reportedly escalated, leading to tension at the institution’s main gate and the intervention of the police.

While the police were invited to restore order, the Polytechnic management alleged that some officers exceeded their brief by firing tear gas into the campus, including student hostels.

“Unfortunately, tear gas canisters were thrown into the Polytechnic premises, affecting students and staff, including our Chief Security Officer who sustained injuries,” the statement added.

Following the incident, Governor AbdulRazaq ordered the immediate closure of the Polytechnic to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of the campus community.

The management appealed to students, staff and other stakeholders to remain calm, assuring that discussions are ongoing with relevant authorities to resolve the matter quickly.

“We call on all members of the Polytechnic community to remain calm and cooperative as efforts are being made to address the situation amicably,” the Acting Registrar said.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The actions of officials of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, in disrupting access to facilities being used for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp have continued to attract widespread public condemnation.

It would be recalled that the Kwara State Government had approved the temporary use of part of the polytechnic campus as the NYSC orientation camp due to prevailing security challenges in the state. The facility, which had been abandoned for several years, and later renovated by the state government, has now been used for the orientation exercise on more than three occasions.

Tension reportedly erupted on Tuesday when access to the facility was blocked following a protest involving students who were said to be unaware of the broader circumstances surrounding the camp’s continued use, resulting in temporary disruption of camping activities.

Allegations are rife in some quarters that some senior officials of the institution, including the Rector and the Chief Security Officer, are opposed to the state government’s directive to release the facility for the orientation course. Although the institution had initially remained silent, it later issued a press release explaining its position.

In the statement dated 20 January 2026 and signed by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Amin, the management of Kwara State Polytechnic said the institution was designated as a temporary NYSC camp because of security concerns in the state. The management noted that during the first and second orientation exercises at the facility, students were either on break or had not fully resumed. However, it stated that students were fully in session during the current exercise.

To manage the situation and prevent a breakdown of law and order, the management said it granted students a three-week break effective Monday, 19 January 2026, to facilitate the smooth conduct of the orientation course. It added that some students reacted negatively to the directive, leading to tension that required police intervention.

According to the release, the police initially attempted to disperse the crowd at the main gate of the polytechnic, but some officers allegedly threw tear gas canisters into the campus, including student hostels. The action reportedly affected several students and staff, including the institution’s Chief Security Officer who was said to have sustained injuries.

The statement further disclosed that the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, subsequently directed the closure of the polytechnic to ensure the safety of lives and property. The management appealed to students, staff and stakeholders to remain calm as discussions continue with relevant authorities to resolve the matter.

However, the management’s explanation has continued to draw criticism from members of the public and civil society groups. Some stakeholders described the press release as belated and an afterthought aimed at damage control.

Critics argued that the three-week orientation course would not have significantly disrupted academic activities, noting that students’ engagement areas are located far from the NYSC camp venue and that clear demarcations exist between both facilities.

They also stressed that the Governor, as the chief security officer of the state, issued the directive in the interest of public safety and that it should have been complied with fully by the institution’s principal officers.

Stakeholders further criticised what they described as an attempt to undermine a proactive security measure taken to protect young Nigerian graduates. They argued that rather than support the government’s effort to safeguard corps members, the actions of the institution’s leadership created avoidable tension and risk.

Civil society groups have, therefore, called on the polytechnic management to align with the state government’s decision and prioritise the welfare and safety of corps members, noting that the NYSC scheme remains a national asset that should not be politicized or subjected to internal institutional disputes.

They also urged the Kwara State Government to engage the institution’s leadership decisively to prevent a recurrence and ensure that future orientation exercises are not disrupted..

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested three suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) recruitment agents in Banki town, Borno State.

Sources told the National Trail that the suspects were arrested on Jan. 17 following a tip-off from the Banki District Head.

The sources said intelligence operatives were deployed to Banki on a covert operation, where they apprehended the suspects while attempting to recruit and move youths for terrorist training.

“They were identified as Gajibo Kayama, 23; Tahiru Modu, 22; and Bulama Modu, 24. They are suspected to be involved in the recruitment of youths aged between 17 and 20 from Banki town for ISWAP elements operating in Adamawa State,” the source said.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects were former ISWAP members who claimed to have repented about five years ago but were allegedly re-engaging in recruitment activities.

“They were arrested while trying to recruit and convey youths within Banki town for training in Adamawa State,” the source added.

The suspects have since been handed over to Military Intelligence Regiment for detailed interrogation and further action.