The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) took to the streets on Friday to stage a peaceful protest against the frequent kidnappings targeting its members and students at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK). The protest, held in front of the Senate Building of the university, comes after recent incidents where lecturers and students were abducted and later released.
During the demonstration, protestors raised placards with powerful messages such as “Gov. A.A Sule, Save Us from Terrorists,” “Overhaul the Security Apparatus in Keffi for Our Safety,” and “Let the Lives of Lecturers Matter, Let Them Breathe.” These messages sought to draw attention to the dire security situation faced by university personnel and the need for swift action.
Speaking to journalists following the protest, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed deep concern over the increasing rate of kidnapping in the institution. Prof. Osodeke called on relevant authorities to take immediate measures to prevent these incidents from reoccurring. He also commended the university’s ASUU branch for organizing the protest as a means of informing the authorities about the union’s disappointment with the current security situation.
In addition, ASUU NSUK Chairman, Prof. Samuel Alu, described the relentless attacks on lecturers and students as “unbearable.” An emergency congress of the branch had unanimously agreed to hold the protest to show their discontentment. Prof. Alu emphasized that several members had been kidnapped in the past few weeks, with no condemnation from the government or military. In response to this alarming situation, ASUU NSUK resolved that the governor should take immediate action to address the security challenges facing the university.
Prof. Abdullahi Modibbo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, acknowledged that the institution had been facing difficult times due to the incessant kidnappings of staff members and students over the past month. He revealed that three lecturers, as well as the wife of a lecturer, had been kidnapped alongside four off-campus students. Mr. Modibbo assured the public that the university management was taking decisive steps to combat this distressing trend.
For on-campus security, the university has been working closely with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. However, to address the security concerns off-campus, the management has approved the recruitment and training of twenty vigilantes who will be strategically positioned in various off-campus locations.
The situation at NSUK calls for immediate attention, as the safety of staff and students should be a top priority. ASUU’s protest serves as a wakeup call to both the government and law enforcement agencies to take swift action and restore security to the institution before it deteriorates further. The future of Nasarawa State University and its ability to provide quality education hangs in the balance, contingent upon the government’s response to this critical security issue.
