By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Aftermath the discovery and bursting of the “examination magic centres” outside Kogi state Polytechnic, no fewer than 16 students have been arrested while over 32 are on the run.
The Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Salihu Ogbo Usman, who disclosed this at a press conference held in Lokoja on Monday, tagged his address as “stemming the tides of endemic academic decadence and lawlessness in Kogi state Polytechnic”.
He pointed out that the “magic centres” were created and controlled by a syndicate of some disgruntled elements in the system and have been operating within the campus while the examination was ongoing.
According to Dr Usman, “on the 5th of November 2020 , our team of security were able to burst one of the centres called ‘Champion Logde’ at Sarkin Noma a suburb of Lokoja after the primary school.”
The Rector pointed out that Even though the suspects escaped before the arrival of the security team, a total of 32 scripts already answered with respective different courses bearing students particulars were retrieved from “California Lodge” at the same Sarki Noma axis where they were kept for onward transmission to their principals”
With the un -relented efforts of the security unit and the management team, the Rector disclosed that other participants at the magic centre were arrested on Friday last week, who confessed to, not only participated, but also paid N2,000 per paper.
Dr. Usman further pointed out that as at Monday 9th November 2020, additional 12 participants of the alleged magic centres were also arrested and they equally confessed of their involvement in the malpractice, while two students of the school, Victor Attah the owner the room used as the magic centre and Daniel Ikoja whose room was used as transit point of the script were arrested respectively.
Dr. Usman alleged that some staff of the institution who are bent on sabotaging the ongoing reforms embarked by the new administration, have been inciting students against the constituted authority of Polytechnic.
He therefore warned staff, students and the entire Polytechnic community, that the management under his watch would not tolerate acts capable of tarnishing the credibility of the results and certificates of the institution.
The Rector warned the deviant students and their collaborators to desist from short cut practices in their own interest and in the common interest of all of us.
Dr. Usman who commended the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for creating enabling environment for learning therefore assured the the state, parents and students of an open door policy of administration, commitment to the principles of the present government with high expectation of attaining Education excellence.
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