WE ARE LIVING IN CONSTANT FEAR OF BANDITS – UNIABUJA VICE-CHANCELLOR LAMENTS
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah has said students and staff of the University are living in constant fear of banditry attacks.
This comes after the Federal Government approved N400m for the building of a perimeter fence for the University.
The VC appealed to the Government to protect the university from encroachment from bandits, and Fulani Militia.
He made this known in a statement on Wednesday, September 9th, 2020, signed by the Public Relations Officer of UNIABUJA, Dr Habib Yakoob.
Yakoob said the VC spoke during a visit by the Director, Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory, Murkta Galadima, on Tuesday, September 8th, 2020.
According to the VC, the bandits and the encroachment on UNIABUJA land, as well as erection of illegal structures, were preventing his administration from carrying out developmental projects on campus and constituting a security threat to students and staff.
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"He (Na'Allah) expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for approving about N400m to enable the university to erect a fence, adding that his administration would embark on the project between now and December," the statement said.
The VC was also quoted as saying, "The truth is that this great university is in trouble right now. I say this because we have all sorts of people who are living on the campus, who are using the land without respect for the environment. It is worse now because bandits are coming in and taking over land both within staff residences and outside.
"Our students are being attacked; we are living in fear of bandits. Some of the indigenes give land to these bandits without really knowing them; some don't even ask for permission; they take over. I can tell you that on many occasions, we have had clashes."
Galadima said there was a need to follow due process in removing the structures.
He added, "It has to be done with the FCT administration. We shall meet with the university, village chiefs, Area Council Secretariat and tell them these are the challenges. Resettlement will also come in."
Recall that in recent weeks, the level of insecurity and violence in Northern Nigeria has risen beyond measures as over 200 lives have been lost due to attacks from Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani Militia.
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