The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has shut down the institution following a threat by students to block the Abuja-Lagos highway over the killing of their mates by trucks.

The management announced the closure in a statement by Rebecca Okojie, FUL registrar, in Lokoja on Thursday.

Ms Okojie explained that the management’s decision was sequel to the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele City Centre on Monday.

“Following the unfortunate incident, the students barricaded the gates of the university in spite of magnanimous interventions from the state government as well as frantic efforts and appeals by the university management for calm.

“Based on the advice of the security agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the vice-chancellor, after due consultation with management, has decided on behalf of the senate to close down the university indefinitely.

“Students are therefore advised to vacate the campuses before 12 noon of Thursday, February 20,” Mr Okojie stated.

Some protesting students of the university had on Wednesday threatened to block the Abuja-Lagos Highway if the federal government failed to stop the incessant killings of their colleagues by trucks.

President of the Student Union Government (SUG), Benjamin Timothy, said during the protest at the Falele Campus, Lokoja, that the students might block the highway following the killings of students by truck drivers.

Five students of the FUL were killed on Monday when an articulated vehicle and a shuttle bus carrying some students had an accident.

Mr Timothy claimed that with Monday’s incident, the school had recorded 12 deaths of students of the institution killed by trucks in avoidable accidents in a space of two months.

(NAN)