ABU kidnappings prompt Reps call to secure universities

The House of Representatives has called on federal government and military authorities to secure the campuses of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, University of Abuja and other tertiary institutions in the country.

It comes after a spate of attacks and kidnappings targeting students and staff of ABU on and off the campus.

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Rep Garba Datti moved a motion in the House during plenary, supported by Rep Shehu Balarabe, Rep. Mukhtar Shehu Ladan and Rep. Ibrahim Hamza, on Wednesday, saying insecurity in Kaduna State has degenerated to alarming levels in spite of the efforts of Government to put an end to it.

The motion noted that, the activities of armed bandits, who embarked on a spate of kidnappings and abductions of the Ahmadu Bello University staff and students and other members of the University’s community, particularly at its Samaru Campus and outside their campuses have reached perilous levels.

“On the 17th day of November, 2020, nine (9) students of the university were kidnapped along Kaduna-Abuja Road while the bandits sent a ransom demand of N270million for the release of the students.

“On Monday 23rd November, 2020 at about 12.50 am, armed bandits invaded the house of another staff, Professor Bakari Girei and abducted him, 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,” he said.

Datti noted that, Professor Girei still remains in the hands of the bandits adding that, the invasions still continued unabated.

“The bandits have been substantially aided in their wicked, despicable and nefarious activities by the absence of a wall or fence around the Samaru Campus of the University unlike what is obtainable at the campus of the University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri and the Gwagwalada campuses of the University of Abuja.

The House therefore urge the Federal Government to without further delay 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.

It also called on the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff to provide additional security in tertiary institutions by creating formations in their vicinities.