The management of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Abia State, stopped academic activity and increased security to prevent more disturbances in the university following student protests against a school fee increase.
Scores of students of the citadel of higher learning on Tuesday evening were seen discussing and leaving the campus in groups amid tight security, while the presence of security personnel who were on the ground to forestall further protests was also seen.
One of the final-year students, Kelechi Ofoedu, said that the development had disturbed the first-semester exams, which began on Monday, and he urged the Federal Government to intervene.
But hours after the protest which led to the destruction of the administrative block among others, the vice-chancellor signed a circular on behalf of the Senate, ordering the institution to close indefinitely.
The management cited safety concerns after clashes between students and security forces left property damaged and students injured.
The university administration released a statement claiming “miscreants took over the University, damaging property and vehicles”.
Efforts to reach Vice Chancellor Professor M. O. Iwe for comment regarding the alleged use of force and students’ claims proved unsuccessful as he promised to brief the press on Wednesday.