By Gwurld4026 
Kogi Varsity Shutdown: Students Demand Justice for Peers
On February 17, 2025, a tragic accident occurred near the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in Kogi State, where an articulated truck lost control and collided with a shuttle bus carrying students. The incident resulted in the immediate deaths of five students and the bus driver.
In response to the accident, students initiated protests, expressing their grief and demanding improved safety measures. The demonstrations escalated, leading to the barricading of the university’s main gate and disruptions on campus. Efforts by the state government and university management to calm the situation were unsuccessful.
On February 20, 2025, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, after consulting with management and following advice from state security agencies, announced the indefinite closure of both campuses. Students were instructed to vacate the premises by 12 noon on the same day.
During the protests, security personnel deployed to the scene reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators, leading to heightened tensions and further unrest.