KwaraPoly closed as Police tear gas incident disrupts NYSC camp arrangement

The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has explained the circumstances surrounding the recent tension on campus that led to police intervention and the eventual closure of the institution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Registrar, AbdulHafis Amin, the Polytechnic said the unrest was linked to the institution’s designation by the Kwara State Government as a temporary orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) due to prevailing security challenges in the state.

According to the statement, previous NYSC orientation exercises held at the Polytechnic did not disrupt academic activities because students were either on break or had not fully resumed. However, the ongoing exercise coincided with full academic session, necessitating special arrangements.

“To manage the situation and prevent any breach of law and order, the Management granted students a three-week break effective Monday, 19th January, 2026 to facilitate the successful conduct of the NYSC orientation camp,” the statement said.

The management noted that some students reacted negatively to the decision, citing their recent return from the Christmas and New Year break, which led to rising tension at the institution’s main gate.

“The situation necessitated police intervention. The police were initially tasked with dispersing the crowd at the Polytechnic’s main gate. Unfortunately, some officers went beyond their mandate by throwing tear gas canisters into the Polytechnic premises, including student hostels,” the statement added.

The action, according to the management, affected several students and staff members, including the Polytechnic’s Chief Security Officer, who sustained injuries during the incident.
Following the development, the statement disclosed that the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, directed the immediate closure of the Polytechnic to safeguard lives and property within the campus community.

“The Management therefore call on all students, staff, and stakeholders to remain calm and cooperative as we continue to engage with the relevant authorities to resolve this matter amicably and swiftly,” Amin said.

The Imformant247 had earlier reported how students protested the three weeks holiday given to the institution due to the reopening of camp for NYSC.

In the video shared by The Informant247 TV, some students, who were seen carrying placards to express their inconveniences about the the decision of the management were attacked with tear gas by the security operatives, who were trying to disperse the large crowd.