Students Burn Hostel Over Alleged Blasphemy

One of the hostels of Government College, Keffi in Nasarawa State was yesterday learnt by persons suspected to be students protesting an alleged statement made by teacher considered to be blasphemous on Prophet Muhammad.

The Guardian learnt that the incident started on Wednesday when one of the students came late for an afternoon English class. It was alleged that when the class teacher queried the student for his lateness, he was said to have replied that he went to the mosque to pray. The teacher, reportedly not finding the excuse tenable insisted on punishing the student with a reply that even Prophet Muhammad would sanction him for not doing theright thing.

The student, The Guardian learnt, went to his colleagues and reported to them the teacher to them knowing the sensitivity of the subject. His fellow students immediately reported the matter to the school patron, who in turn informed the principal school.

When the report got to the Principal, he promptly set up a panel to investigate the allegation. But the Moslem students became inpatient with the process and on Thursday a riot broke out and the protesters made for the official residence of the teacher and burnt it down. The teacher and his family however escaped unhurt.

As early as 6am, yesterday, the students joined by other hoodlums from Keffi invaded the school and began to set its structures ablaze.

One of the hostels was completely burnt before rescue came from the police. While trying to disperse from the school, a police inspector was said to have shot one of them on the foot.

Confirming the incidence yesterday in his office in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Police Commissioner, Mr. Hadi Muhammad Zarewa, said the school had been shut down and that the arrested. "He made an unguarded statement which we are investigating and if we find him guilty, we will charge him to court," the police boss said.