The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has announced a shutdown of the institution.

The announcement on Wednesday is coming after a violent confrontation involving suspected cultists near the institution’s gate on Tuesday.

The incident reportedly led to serious injuries and fears of a fatality during the clash between two rival cult groups.

Ekwutosblog had reported that a disturbing video shared on Facebook by a user, Lamina Omotoyosi, filmed during the violence, showed a man in a white shirt striking another individual with a hammer as two others stood nearby.

In the aftermath of the incident, officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Osun State Police Command were deployed to restore calm around the institution.

Dr Tope Abiola, Dean of Students’ Affairs, confirmed that the violence occurred just outside the school premises and noted that several people were injured.

He further explained that the critically injured individual was a former student of the polytechnic.

“We were inside the campus when gunshots rang out. From what we gathered, one person was critically injured.

“He completed his National Diploma about two years ago. One of the other victims sustained injuries from stray bullets,” Abiola added.

The Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said all injured individuals were receiving treatment at a medical facility.

He did not confirm any deaths resulting from the clash.

Reacting to the unrest, the polytechnic’s management ordered all students to proceed on a one-week mid-semester break, starting Thursday, April 10, 2025.

The Registrar, Abiodun Oloyede, in a memorandum dated April 9, 2025, also announced the indefinite postponement of the matriculation ceremony earlier scheduled for Thursday.

Students were urged to use the break to pay outstanding fees and finalise their registration, with the management warning that no further appeal shall be entertained.

The internal memo stated: “Given the pleas and appeals received from some set of students who have not been able to pay their school’s fees and have not completed their registration formalities, Management has magnanimously granted a one week mid-semester break from Thursday, April 10 to Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

“This is to allow all defaulting students to pay their school fees and complete their registration procedure. Consequently, the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2024/2025 Academic Session, earlier scheduled to hold tomorrow, Thursday, April 10 2025, has been postponed.

“A new date shall be announced in due course. All students are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of this break and pay all their fees and complete their registration as no further appeal shall be entertained.”