SOME students of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene, on Monday picketed the school’s major gate to protest alleged insecurity and police brutality.
Led by the Student Union President, Geoffrey George, the students were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “End police brutality now”, “Protect, save, don’t abuse” and “This extortion must stop” among others.
Speaking to newsmen, George, decried the presence of hoodlums and petty criminals within the school community.
He further said that the activities of the police had heightened fears among the student community instead of providing security.
The student union leader said that students of the polytechnic were regularly abused, extorted and harassed by policemen.
“The world must have seen a video recently posted on the social media where a student of the institution was beaten and dragged on the ground by policemen.
“Our students face extortion by policemen in Ikot Ekpene. We are not safe, especially those students living in the communities within the school environment.
“Hoodlums snatch phones from students and attack them with arms. This is not good, we cannot continue to live this way,” he said.
When contacted, DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, said that the police had invited leadership of the students to a meeting.
“The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare has invited the students to a meeting to resolve the issues they have raised,” she said.
