Tension in UNIABUJA as gunmen abduct four dons, two kids

Attack shows Buhari’s failure, says PDP
Niger gov re-assures residents on security

Tension has enveloped University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) as gunmen, yesterday, invaded the staff quarters and abducted a professor of Economics, Obansa Joseph, and two of his children.

Others missing after the attack include Prof. Bassey Ubom, Mallam Sambo Muhammed and one Dr. Tobit.

A resident of the quarters, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the gunmen invaded the senior staff quarters at Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) about 1.00am on Tuesday and operated for about an hour.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, spokesperson for the university, Habib Yakubu, said the university would be releasing an official statement in the matter.

Responding to the abduction, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Josephine Adeh, noted that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Babaji Sunday, dispatched additional tactical and conventional policing resources to the university’s main and satellite campuses, staff quarters and other affiliate formations to fortify security in and around the university community.

The Chairman, Gwagwalada Council, Adamu Danze, said he had always raised concern over security in the area, expressing hope that the victims would be rescued soon.

While calling for calm, the CP added that security forces were already working with the locals to rescue the victims. He assured that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to book.

Some of the residents of UNIABUJA Staff Quarters, who spoke with The Guardian, expressed fear of further attacks.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the attack on the university shows the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Condemning the attack, the opposition party demanded an unconditional release of the victims to reunite with their families.

This was contained in a statement entitled, ‘Bandit Attack in UNIABUJA Under Buhari’s Security Precincts, Shocking,’ signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Tuesday.

WORRIED by the hardship, which insecurity is imposing on residents of Niger State, Governor Abubakar Bello has re-assured the citizenry that no stone will be left unturned in addressing the situation.

During an expanded security meeting at Government House, Minna, to review security strategies, he said the government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders were all contributing towards seeing an end to the challenges.

The governor stated that the recent positive outcome in the fight against banditry and other forms of insecurity confronting some communities in the state would be sustained.

Bello maintained that the state government was not unaware of the problems facing the people of the affected areas.

“With the renewed strategy, the insecurity situation in the state will be surmounted. By the grace of God, with the efforts being applied at the moment by the security agencies, we shall overcome most of these challenges soon,” Bello said.

The expanded meeting comprised security chiefs in the state, the Chief Judge, the House of Assembly Speaker, local council chairmen, traditional and religious leaders among others.