Students Torch Kebbi College Provost’s Residence Amid Allegations of Extortion

Students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, protested fiercely, setting fire to the residence of Provost Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa and vandalizing his vehicle over allegations of extortion.

The unrest was sparked by accusations that the college management collected N23 million from 250 graduating students as part of an index registration fee.

This fee hike, linked to the introduction of a Public Health program, allegedly included an additional demand of N65,000 from each student on top of the already paid N30,000.

In response, the agitated students resorted to stoning vehicles and setting the provost’s house ablaze. College staff fled as tensions escalated, prompting security forces to be called in to restore order.

Provost Saidu-Sauwa denied the allegations, describing them as “fictitious and baseless.”

He refuted claims that the program was connected to any external body aimed at extorting students, stating that the institution operates under a Single Treasury Account system to ensure financial transparency.

He suggested that the protest was fueled by misinformation from unnamed sources with ulterior motives.

He challenged the anonymous accuser to provide evidence of the claims and urged patience until the true cause of the protest is clarified.

Saidu-Sauwa expressed relief that no one was injured during the incident and pledged to collaborate with security personnel to investigate those responsible for the unrest.

Normalcy has since returned to the college following intervention from security agencies.

The Kebbi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed that further details would be shared after receiving a report from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega.