The House of Representatives has condemned the alleged killing of some students of the Nasarawa State University by officers of the Nigerian Army and mandated a joint committee of the House to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Considering the issue as a matter of urgent national importance, the representatives on Tuesday declared that the deployment of armed soldiers with live ammunition to quell a student’s protest is unacceptable.

The House observed a minute silence for the students who lost their lives and urged the Inspector General of Police and the Nasarawa State government to take immediate steps to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the affected areas.

Nasarawa State University was on Monday, shut down following the killing of four students and wounding of seven others by soldiers who were brought in to quell a protest by the students of the institution.

The spokesperson of the university, Jamil Zakari, confirmed the closure of the school,  saying he heard of the shooting of students, but added that: “I cannot officially confirm that now.”

The students had embarked on the action, which was in its third day, to protest water scarcity.