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Varsity heads task FG on security in schools

By Sodiq Omolaoye, Abuja
06 November 2021   |   4:02 am
Heads of universities in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to work out modalities for providing basic security in institutions across the country.

•Lament Attack On UNIABUJA
Heads of universities in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to work out modalities for providing basic security in institutions across the country.

They gave the charge in a statement, yesterday, in which they reacted to the bandits’ attack on the Staff Quarters of the University of Abuja where six persons were abducted in the earlier hours of Tuesday.

The statement was jointly signed by the chairmen of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities, Prof. Nimi Briggs; Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities, Yusuf Ali and Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Samuel Edoumiekumo.

The varsity heads lamented that educational institutions have become soft and prime targets for the nefarious activities of bandits.

According to them, the schools across the country, where future generations are being nurtured, must be accorded topmost priority by the government.

While commending security agencies for their prompt and tactical response to ensure the release of the kidnapped victims of the UNIAbuja attacks, the varsity heads urged government to deploy a special security squad for university campuses to work hand in hand with campus security personnel.

“We sympathise with the families of the victims and the management of University of Abuja over this unfortunate incident. Our prayers are with them at this time. More importantly, we call on their abductors to effect the immediate and safe return of all the affected persons.

“We note with serious concern that similar incidents had occurred in the past at the University of Maiduguri, Greenfield University, Kaduna, Joseph S. Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and numerous secondary and primary schools across the country.

“Sadly, a number of staff and students have lost their lives while the traumatic experiences of some others in the kidnappers’ den could only be best imagined,” they said.

In view of the attacks, the heads of the institutions urged government to “provide jointly manned roadblocks on inter-city highways adjacent to our institutions of higher learning. They should provide our institutions with funds to construct perimeter fencing to address the porous nature of security and adequate funds to procure necessary security gadgets that will improve the security architecture of the campuses.”

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