The Federal government has been called upon to urgently use its security operatives and other relevant agencies to ensure the safety of lives and properties across the country.
This call is sequel to a motion moved by Garba Datti Muhammad of the House of Representatives, titled ‘ Urgent need to address the security threats posed by the phenomenon of banditry (particularly kidnapping and abduction) to the campuses of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and other tertiary institutions across the nation.’
It is co-sponsored by Tajudeen Abbas, Shehu Balarabe, Muktar Shehu Ladan, and Ibrahim Hamza.
The law makers said, “ Without further delay, the federal government should erect a secure wall round the campuses of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as has been done for the University of Maiduguri in Maiduguri and the Gwagwalada campuses of the University of Abuja in order to forestall incursions from the bandits and other miscreants;
“They call on the Inspector General of Police to urgently and without further delay, establish units of its mobile police troops at the institution particularly at the Phase 2 segment of its Samaru campus to ensure security of lives and property at all times;
“They also called on the Chief of Army Staff to urgently and without further delay, establish a battalion of the Nigerian Army at the southern border of the University to help forestall incursions into the campus.”
The legislators have also mandated the House Committees on Tertiary Education and National Security and Intelligence to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Education, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police and other relevant agencies of Government to implement the above resolutions and report to the House within three (3) weeks.
Only recently, the state of insecurity in Kaduna State and Northwest in general, has degenerated to an alarming level that in spite of the concerted efforts of Government to put an end to it, armed banditry and kidnappings have continued unabated.
The notice of motion tagged ‘Matter of urgent national importance’ noted that activities of armed bandits, who have now extended their spate of kidnappings and abductions in to our citadel of learning particularly the Ahmadu Bello University.
On the 17th of November, 2020, nine (9) students of the university were kidnapped along Kaduna-Abuja Road while the bandits sent a ransom demand of N270M before they are released.
Only on Monday 23rd November, 2020 at about 12.50 am, armed bandits invaded the house of Professor Bakari Girei and abducted him, together with his wife and daughter and, only after an exchange of fire with the Police Intelligence Response Team did the bandits release the wife and daughter while they escaped with the Professor; who is still in captivity.
The law makers are worried that the consequence of this state of affairs is that the University now stands the serious risk of being unable to guarantee a serene and conducive atmosphere that is a sine qua non for its purpose as an institution of higher learning;
They said this activity, has become a national emergency that has become worrisome to every Nigerian and that the overriding need to provide security to life and property cannot be overstated;
They therefore expressed determination that “this matter must be treated with the seriousness it deserves, especially now that universities, whose activities have been severely crippled by the protracted ASSUU industrial actions and the Covid-19 pandemic, are preparing to fully resume academic studies and to avoid further protracted disruption of academic activities.”
