Police officers have whisked away students protesting the rape of one of their colleagues, says the Abia State Polytechnic.

They were forcibly taken away from their hostels, according to the school authorities.

On Friday, the school management said Thursday’s demonstration by the students was prompted by the alleged rape of a female student by some security operatives.

“The leadership of the students union alerted us that some students had issues with some security agents, especially the police,” stated John Nwanborogwu, the school’s governing council chairman said. “Some of them were whisked away from their hostels, to certain police stations and a whole lot of things happening consequently.”

The students had, on September 23, taken to the streets, which incidentally occasioned blockage of traffic in Aba.

Mr Nwanborogwu explained that the demonstration had nothing to do with the question of accreditation or salary arrears as reported on social media.

“The principal among them was the alleged rape of one of them, and they mobilised themselves and demonstrated in solidarity,” the council chair added.

He added that the institution and the police had commenced a preliminary investigation into the matter and would soon address the public about their findings.

”If there is a case of rape established, we trust the government will not close her eyes to that,” he said.

Mr Nwanborogwu, who refused to disclose the alleged victim’s whereabouts, said the Abia governor’s wife, Nkechi Ikpeazu, had promised to see the lady wherever she was.

The polytechnic’s rector, Okorie Osonwa, commended the students for not taking the protest further to the police after he had addressed them.

He explained that the management was working assiduously to address some of the school’s challenges, including the accreditation of the School of Engineering, which he said would be done soon.

(NAN)