Tension intensified when residents of a students’ off-campus lodge known as “EFCC” detained their caretaker for several hours over a persistent electricity outage.
Frustrated by more than a week without power, the students reportedly locked the caretaker, identified as Markus Yakubu Maikano, inside the lodge premises from around 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., accusing him of negligence despite having paid rent inclusive of electricity fees.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday in Gwallameji, a student-dominated community near the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, highlights one of the challenges bedevilling the community of late.
According to eyewitnesses, Maikano contacted his lawyer during the standoff, claiming unlawful detention, and soon the lawyer arrived, accompanied by three police officers.
After a brief investigation, the police determined that the student’s grievances were justified because Maikano had received full payments from the tenants—including charges for electricity—but failed to ensure a stable power supply.
He was subsequently taken into police custody for further questioning.
One of the residents, Thankgod Appolos Adamu, voiced his frustration over the impact on his academic life.
“This is very unfair,” he said. “I only read at night when it’s quiet, but for the past week, I haven’t opened my books because of the darkness. Our exams are approaching, and it’s affecting us.”
Gwallameji is a densely populated off-campus student community that accommodates hundreds of students of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi (FPTB), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), and others.
With examinations around the corner at the FPTB, residents are urging authorities and landlords to prioritise consistent access to basic amenities such as electricity.
