By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
IN a bold move, the joint security team of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has apprehended three students and five non-students suspected to be cultists and drug peddlers during the ongoing second semester examination.
The suspects, who were arrested on Tuesday, July 16, include Ajayi Oluwaseun Oladipo, Isenre Elijah Ayomide, and Omonijo Sunday, all HND II students of the Department of Business Administration, as well as five non-students from Ekiti State based in Abuja.
In a statement signed by Mrs Uredo Omale, Director Public Relations and Protocol of the institution on Wednesday in Lokoja, said the arrest of the suspects was as a result of proactive security measures put in place by the Management.
She said that the measures were aimed at preventing the infiltration of cultists and other outlawed groups who had planned to cause mayhem on the campus during the examination.
Omale revealed that the suspects were intercepted at the main entrance of the Polytechnic gate while on their motorcade. The driver of the second car, however, jumped out of the vehicle and escaped.
Some suspected hard drugs wrapped in a polythene bag, papers cut to sizes supposedly for wrapping of drugs and one beret cap with a symbol suspected to be that of a cult group were seen in the car and in possession of the occupants of the two (2) intercepted cars.
Items recovered from the apprehended suspects according to her, include two cars; a light green coloured Mercedes Benz Saloon with Reg. Number: EKITI STATE “MUE-598 – AE” and a black coloured Toyota Lexus Saloon with Reg. Number from: EBONYI STATE “SKA – 78 – AE”
Others are different types of drugs, Naira notes amounting to N14,000, a beret cap with a symbol suspected to be that of a cult group and an MP3 player all of which have been handed over to the Nigeria Police at the ‘B’ Division in Lokoja.
The Polytechnic’s management commended the efforts of the Examination Security Management Committee, the Joint Security team, and the Intelligence Team for foiling the attack.
The Rector, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, admonished students to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the management.
This development, according to her, is a significant milestone in the polytechnic’s efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment for students and staff.
The Director held that the Management’s proactive approach has effectively tackled security challenges, and the institution has witnessed a significant reduction in cult-related activities in recent years.
The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police at the ‘B’ Division in Lokoja for further investigation and prosecution. (Ends)