SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Learn more.

Date of Incident: April 09, 2013

Attack Types: Other

Institution(s):Jigawe College of Education

Region & Country:Western Africa | Nigeria

New or Ongoing:New Incident

According to reports, on April 9, students of the Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel in Nigeria destroyed school property in protest over alleged lack of water supply on campus.
Student protesters damaged college property, including breaking windows and destroying campus vehicles. Jigawa State College of Education reportedly released a statement expressing alarm at the students’ response and noting that although one water pump was temporarily out of use, alternative sources of water on campus were available. The college stated that those discovered to be involved in the incident would be disciplined.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about destruction of campus property during student protests.  While students have the right to free expression, that right does not extend to violence or the destruction of property; on-campus expression must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with university values including social responsibility. Student violence against persons or property also creates unnecessary risks of physical harm to individuals and undermines academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
Sources:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/students-protest-vandalise-school-property-in-jigawa/
http://m.news24.com/nigeria/National/News/Students-vandalise-school-property-in-Jigawa-20130410