Security-Nigeria - The police said the clash in Ikole-Ekiti recently over the location of a federal university was caused by politicians. Three people lost their lives at Ikole-Ekiti when demonstrators against the location of the federal university at Oye-Ekiti attacked the Federal Government College; Ikole-Ekiti. Four students of the college sustained injuries and many items were vandalized in the school.

A police post and 2 operational vehicles at Ido-osi were set alight.

The Police Force Public Relations Officer DCP Olusola Amore said in a statement "The present crisis was brought about by some persons with political interest, spreading the rumour that the university was initially located in Ikole-Ekiti."

The demonstration was against the rumoured relocation of a federal university from Ikole-Ekiti to Oye-Ekiti.

He said the Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim regretted the death of the three demonstrators killed while attacking innocent students at FGC Ikole-Ekiti and warned that police will not allow government properties being set on fire and people killed.

He said the IGP has urged the political class to refrain from inciting members of the public unduly as the consequence of such incitement could be fatal.

He said the Federal Ministry of Education, however, confirmed that the university was originally located at Oye-Ekiti with the Vice Chancellor as Professor Chinedu Nebo. The Ministry said at no time was university located at Ikole-Ekiti.

Misbahu Bashir

Daily Trust/14/02/2011