The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has announced the immediate closure of the institution following a violent clash involving suspected cultists near the school’s main gate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The incident, which caused panic within and around the campus community, reportedly left at least one person critically injured. According to earlier reports by Nationnewslead, the clash involved rival cult groups and occurred just outside the polytechnic premises.
A disturbing video, shared by a Facebook user identified as Lamina Omotoyosi, captured a man in a white shirt repeatedly striking another individual on the head with a hammer, while two other individuals looked on. The graphic footage has since circulated widely online, sparking outrage and concern.
Following the clash, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Osun State Police Command were deployed to the area to restore order.
Speaking on the incident, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Tope Abiola, confirmed that gunshots were heard during the disturbance. “We were inside the campus when the gunshots began. Our investigations revealed that one individual was critically injured. He is an ex-student who completed his National Diploma here two years ago,” he stated. “Another victim, among the three injured, was hit by a stray bullet.”
Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed that those injured in the clash were receiving medical treatment.
To forestall further unrest, the management of the institution announced a mid-semester break, effective Thursday, April 10 to Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This was communicated through an internal memorandum signed by the Registrar, Abiodun Oloyede, and dated April 9, 2025.
The memo also noted that the decision to go on break was partly influenced by appeals from students who were yet to complete their registration due to non-payment of school fees.
“In view of the pleas received from some students, the management has granted a one-week mid-semester break from Thursday, April 10 to Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to enable them complete their registration,” the memo read.
Consequently, the matriculation ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic session, initially scheduled for Thursday, April 10, has been postponed indefinitely. A new date will be communicated in due course.
The management urged all students to make use of the break to settle outstanding obligations, warning that no further appeals would be entertained thereafter.
