Jos — The Students Union President of the University of Jos Comrade Hitler Pwajok was arrested yesterday as two students were injured when they clashed with mobile policemen in front of the Vice Chancellor's office following a protest over the development levy recently introduced in the university.

The university had recently introduced a N10, 000 development levy to be paid by all returning students, saying the money would be used to upgrade facilities in the institution which are in a deplorable condition. The levy has been generating negative reactions from the students in the past two months.

The peaceful protest, our correspondent gathered, led to a clash with mobile policemen when the students in their hundreds went to the vice chancellor's office, singing solidarity songs and demanding the reversal of the decision. But the demonstration later turned violent as the policemen on standby started shooting tear gas at the students.

Our correspondent gathered that the police started shooting teargas at the students and even chased them into their various hostels while some students threw stones at the police, which resulted in the injuries.

At the time of filing this report, our correspondent gathered that the two students who sustained injuries were receiving treatment at the university clinic though all efforts to speak with the clinic management proved abortive as the police prevented newsmen from entering the hospital.

The Students' Union Government [SUG] President was also arrested in the clash alongside three other students who are currently in police custody.

When contacted, the Deputy Registrar Information and Publications Steve Otowo said he was ill and in hospital, saying he was informed about the protest but that he was not in a position to comment on it.

The SUG Public Relations Officer Comrade Sylvanus Manji told newsmen angry students stormed the SUG presidential lodge otherwise known as the White House and gave the exco 24 hours to explain to them the rationale behind the increase in tuition fees.

He noted that part of the students' grouse was that they heard an announcement that the SUG was asking the students to go ahead and pay the new fee.

"We told the students that we still stand by our earlier decision that no returning student should pay the fee until we ask them to do so", he said.

Manji said on reaching the VC's office to demand explanation they met armed mobile policemen and their president who advanced to speak to them was arrested alongside three other students.

Police Public Relations Officer ASP Muhammed Lerama said the students staged a peaceful protest which later turned violent, saying eight students were arrested alongside the SUG president.

According to him, the students took the law into their hands, alleging that they opened the school gate and harassed members of the public. He added that the arrested students would be released upon the completion of investigation.