Anxiety has spread across Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, as students alleged a resurgence of sex-for-marks, cult activities and other forms of misconduct just months after a new rector assumed office.
Several female students claimed that disciplinary measures introduced under the immediate past Rector, Prof. Salisu Usman, have weakened, allowing previously suppressed vices to re-emerge on campus.
The students, who spoke separately in Lokoja on Sunday, requested anonymity for fear of victimisation and possible disciplinary action.
They alleged that some lecturers now demand sexual favours or cash from female students in exchange for grades or protection from academic failure.
According to the students, two lecturers from the Public Administration and Graphics Design departments allegedly demanded between N70,000 and N80,000 from female students while threatening to fail them if they refused to “cooperate.”
“Sadly, these things were tamed under the former management, but with the current ‘I-don’t-care’ attitude, the old traits are coming back,” one of the students alleged.
She further claimed that one lecturer instructed a female student to book a hotel room and pay the bills ahead of a planned meeting.
The student reportedly reported the matter to a member of the institution’s management but alleged that she faced intimidation instead of protection or disciplinary action against the lecturer.
“The disciplinary structure has collapsed. Corrupt lecturers are getting emboldened while female students are suffering in silence for fear of rustication,” the student said.
Another student alleged that cult activities have resurfaced on campus, claiming that suspected members held a meeting near a female hostel between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. about two weeks ago.
She said security personnel reported the incident to the management but alleged that no action had been taken against those involved.
The students also expressed concern over what they described as the abandonment of the institution’s dress code and compulsory identity card policy, as well as the alleged return of banned handout sales.
They further criticised the reported increase of more than 200 per cent in school fees, saying it had placed additional financial pressure on students.
One of the students appealed to Governor Usman Ododo to intervene, warning that “impunity, truancy and indolence have taken over the legacies left behind by the former rector.”
Responding to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, Mr John Onimisi, said the institution had already begun enforcing disciplinary measures against erring lecturers.
Onimisi confirmed that the management suspended six lecturers on Wednesday over the alleged unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks within the institution.
He also disclosed that another lecturer had been suspended over an allegation of sexual harassment.
“The disciplinary committee of the Polytechnic is already investigating the allegations and the outcome will be made available to journalists,” he said.
However, Onimisi did not specifically respond to allegations regarding the reported resurgence of cult-related activities on campus.
The allegations have intensified calls from students and parents for transparent investigations, stronger disciplinary measures and decisive action to protect students and restore confidence in the institution’s learning environment.
source: NAN
