Tension gripped Adamawa State Polytechnic on Monday as over 200 students took to the streets to protest a prolonged power outage that has left the institution in darkness for more than three months.
The protest, which began peacefully within the polytechnic’s premises, soon spilled into neighboring streets, with students many of them female chanting slogans such as “We want electricity.” The demonstration disrupted traffic and daily activities in surrounding areas.
Chaos ensued when some protesters clashed with passersby, prompting the swift intervention of police officers to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Students expressed frustration over the worsening living and learning conditions on campus. Many described the situation as “unbearable,” noting that the lack of electricity has severely impacted their academic performance and overall wellbeing.
“Our studies are suffering,” said one student protester. “It’s our right to have access to basic amenities like electricity, water, and shelter. We pay our school fees and deserve better.”
Another student highlighted the harsh conditions they endure: “We can’t study effectively at night. The intense heat in Yola makes it difficult to sleep, and we often have to leave campus just to find water to bathe.”
The protesters called on both the management of Adamawa State Polytechnic and the state government to urgently address the power supply issue and improve living conditions on campus.
As of the time of reporting, neither the institution’s management nor state officials had issued a public response to the students’ demands.