Students Set College Provost’s Residence on Fire Over Alleged N23 Million Extortion

Students from the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have reportedly set fire to the residence of the college’s Provost, Haruna Saidu-Sauwa. The incident followed allegations of extortion amounting to N23 million in additional fees.

The unrest began when the administration allegedly demanded an extra N65,000 from each of the 250 graduating students for index registration, on top of the N30,000 they had already paid. The charge was linked to a newly introduced public health programme, which was originally affiliated with the Reproductive Health and Public Health Association of Nigeria. According to sources, the programme was later merged with the Environmental Health Department to secure certification, which management cited as justification for the extra fee.

Outraged by what they perceived as an extortion attempt, the students protested by throwing stones, damaging property, and eventually setting the provost’s residence ablaze. They also vandalized his vehicle during the chaos.

Staff members fled the campus as the situation escalated, and law enforcement agents were called to restore order. The Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident and stated that further details would be made available following investigations by the Divisional Police Officer in Jega.