Vice chancellor (VC) of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe has absolved the varsity’s Students’ Union Government of involvement in the riot which occurred in the university on Tuesday.
Prof Iwe stated this while addressing the press at the university’s Conference Hall in the aftermath of the riot which led to a temporary shutdown of the university, dismissing claims that the incident was a students’ protest.
While insisting that he believed that the riot “was executed by miscreants, who forced the students to join them,” he added that such “students will have themselves to blame for allowing themselves to be used as cover.”
He said the damage include burning of lecture theatre, library, attempted looting of bank, laboratories, shattering of glasses of buildings, pulling down fence walls, and damaging of donour projects, among others.
“We have done everything possible to provide good environment and facilities for our students in the last three years. Even when the funds were not there, we borrowed and engaged on advocacy and God has been on our side,” he noted.
Iwe, who denied reports that he was rough handled by the rioters and invited soldiers to quell the situation, alleged that the riot was instigated by a radio station in Umuahia, Abia State capital through its phone-in programme.
The VC also dismissed assertions that the riot followed refusal of the management of the university to allow students who are in debt to write their examinations, describing the claims as malicious.
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