By: Felix Ikpotor
Normal activities have resumed on the campus of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, RIVCOTECH, after the protest by students’ last week.
Provost of the school, Dr Franklin Nlerum, confirmed the development to our correspondent in Port Harcourt, stressing that all academic programmes have commenced.
Recall that last week Thursday 21st March, students of the institution went on a rampage when Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigerian Police, Rivers State Command came to arrest some students suspected to be involved in cult activities on campus.
Nlerum who stated this immediately after a meeting between the School Management and Students Union Government of the College said the arrested students found innocent will be released.
He said the students misconstrued the Anti Cultism unit for unknown gunmen and prevented them from carrying out their lawful duties, stressing that investigation is still ongoing into the incidence.
The provost said,“No student was kidnapped, no student was carried away unjustly, those student we identified and alleged to be participant in cult activities were taking away by the police for interrogation and I know that investigation is still ongoing which at the end those who were arrested innocently will come back and those found to be culpable will face the music according to the law of the state.
“We have agreed with the students and the student know that management protects their interest and management is for the interest of the college and we are working together as it is supposed to be. The lives of our students are safe”
He however assured that normal academic work has commenced and called on the students to come back to school.
On his part, president of the Student Union Government, Comrade Rosary Minini Braide, said that they have apologised to the school management, adding that their actions as students were grossly inappropriate.
“We have apologised to the school management for the things that have gone on, the school management has decided to take hold of the situation and we are not bigger than the school, they have heeded to our plea and they have come to terms with things that we need.
“We pleaded that there will be no intrusion of military personnel into the campus which they said yes to and also the case of removal of the Dean of Student Affairs is still pending and we are waiting for a positive response from management, students should stay calm as lectures will commence tomorrow”
