The Bauchi State Government on Wednesday closed the School of Health Technology, Ninigi, due to students’ protest over the death of their colleague.
Dr Sani Malami, the Commissioner for Health, told newsmen in Bauchi that the school had to be closed to forestall breakdown of law and order in the institution.
“I have directed the indefinite closure of the college to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order.
“This has become necessary following a riot orchestrated by a handful of the students, protesting against the death of their fellow student, allegedly of cholera.
“Unfortunately, what began as a peaceful protest was hijacked by miscreants who seized the opportunity to molest and terrorise law abiding commuters on the Bauchi-Ningi-Kano highway.
“This is totally unacceptable and we condemn the abominable act in the strongest terms,” he said.
Malami said the authorities of the institution have been directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
He expressed surprise that the institution, with three functional boreholes, best school clinic in the state, adequate WC and VIP toilets and a very hygienic environment, could be said to harbour cholera virus.
“With these facilities on ground, how could the students have acquired cholera?
“As matter of fact, up till this moment, there is no laboratory confirmation that we are dealing with an outbreak of cholera in the school,” he said.
The commissioner said that “nevertheless, we have strengthened our surveillance and epidemiological processes in and around Ningi town to ascertain and arrest the situation.”
He added that Gov. Isa Yuguda had directed that additional sources of water and sanitary disposal of waste be provided in the institution.
The commissioner condoled with the family of the deceased, and prayed that God almighty may grant him eternal rest.
The commissioner also called for understanding of the members of the public, stressing that government would do everything necessary to safeguard the lives of the people.