Insecurity: Deploy Special Squads To Institutions – Pro-chancellors, Vice Chancellors Tell FG

BY TEMI OHAKWE, ABUJA – Following the series of attacks on tertiary institutions in the country, the committee of Pro-chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CPCNFU), Committee of Pro-chancellors of State universities (COPSUN) and the committee of Vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities (CVCNU), have called on the Federal Government to as a matter of national importance, deploy special squads to universities across the country.

This just as the committees applauded the Federal Government and all security agencies for their prompt tactical response in ensuring the release of the kidnapped victims of the University of Abuja.

The three bodies also requested that severe measures should be put in place to curb future occurrences.

These were contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of Pro-chancellors of Federal Universities, Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs, Yusuf Ali, chairman, committee of pro-chancellors of State universities and Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, who is the chairman, committee of Vice Chancellors of universities, in which they urged government to as a matter of urgency; “Deploy a special squad for university campuses to work hand in hand with campus security personnel”

The Stakeholders also requested for manned roadblocks on inter-city highways adjacent to the institutions of higher learning as well as provide institutions in Nigeria with funds to construct perimeter fencing in order to address the porous nature of security.

The committees further said; “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.

“It is obvious that our education institutions have become soft and prime targets for the nefarious activities of these bandits. It is in view of this development that we hereby call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency;

• Going forward, to deploy a special squad for university campuses to work hand in hand with campus security personnel.

“Provide institutions with adequate funds to procure necessary security gadgets that will improve the security architecture of the campuses,” they stressed.

The Committees also said that the sanctity and serenity of the campuses of educational institutions across Nigeria must be nurtured and accorded topmost priority.