One killed as students protest over tuition fee increase in Kaduna

A student of the College of Education, Gidan Waya in Jemaa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been shot and killed following a protest that turned violent in the school.

The students were said to have embarked on a protest on Monday over the increase of tuition fees by the management of the institution.

According to eyewitnesses, the deceased had joined his colleagues in the protest, when security operatives stormed the scene apparently to disperse the protesters with minimum force.

Two other students were also shot but are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, Mohammed Jalige, said the protesters blocked the convoy of a military sector Commander, injuring him and one other person.

The situation according to him resulted in a fracas where three of the protesters were injured in an attempt to use minimum force to disperse the riotous students.

The police spokesman further said that the victims were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, but unfortunately, one person died while receiving treatment.

The police further urged the students to embrace dialogue as the best alternative to express their grievances, while assuring them of diligent investigation into the unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government says it is awaiting full reports on the protest by students of the State College of Education, Gidan Waya.

The government through a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, also debunked reports that it deployed security operatives to suppress protesting students.

Aruwan however, said the government is awaiting briefings to enable it to understand the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate violent incidence in Gidan Waya.