Students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, took to the streets yesterday to protest against police brutality and rising insecurity in Ikot Ekpene Local Council.
Led by the Student Union Government (SUG) President, Geoffrey George, the demonstrators gathered at the school gate around 8:15 a.m., carrying placards with messages such as “End Police Brutality Now”, “Protect, Save, Don’t Abuse”, and “This Extortion Must Stop”.
The protest was sparked by a viral video circulating on social media last week, showing police officers beating, dragging, and rolling a student of the institution on the ground.
Speaking at the Polytechnic campus, George recounted the ordeal students face at the hands of both police officers and criminals within the community.
“Students are constantly extorted by police officers in Ikot Ekpene. We are not safe, especially those living in nearby communities. Hoodlums frequently snatch phones, rob, and even kill students. In the past year alone, we have buried more than five students who were murdered after their homes were invaded, their phones stolen, and their lives taken—while the police turn a blind eye,” he lamented.
A student activist, who chose to remain anonymous, insisted that the protest would continue until the government addresses their concerns.
“The Rector summoned SUG executives this morning, asking us to halt the protest, but we refuse because our lives are at risk. No one can silence us. The world must hear that the police are failing us. Our colleagues are being killed while officers are busy extorting money from struggling students,” the activist declared.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, for comments proved unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor responded to text messages from The Guardian at press time.
