From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The serene community of Gandu, home to the esteemed Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA), was plunged into chaos yesterday as over five hundred students took to the federal road, staging a protest that brought traffic to a standstill for more than two hours.
Their fervent demonstration aimed to spotlight the rampant kidnappings and robberies plaguing their lives within the vicinity over the past two harrowing months.
Adorned with placards bearing desperate pleas for safety and governmental intervention, the students voiced their anguish: “Our lives are in peril,” “Daily kidnappings torment us,” “We need security, Government, help us!”
The impassioned gathering led to a gridlock along the road, prompting law enforcement to disperse the students using tear gas.
Visiting the scene, our correspondent witnessed a chaotic tableau; heavy-duty vehicles stood motionless, some even reversing due to the unexpected. Distressed students sought aid from security forces, with some even appealing for military intervention.
In candid discussions with our correspondent, several students bemoaned the perceived apathy of the police, accusing them of extortion without cause.
A harrowing voice emerged from the shadows of terror in Gandu community a second year student of Mass communication Dapartment recounting the torment of being a kidnapping victim twice within months.
According to him, the first ordeal struck in April, 2023 plunging their lodge into chaos as marauders wielding cutlasses seized their belongings in the dead of night. Fear paralyzed them as they faced the unknown, coerced into surrendering their possessions, unsure of the perpetrators’ intentions.
“We pleaded for help from the school,” the victim recounted. “Initially, a semblance of security arrived as police and vigilantes patrolled, providing a fleeting respite. But soon, the sense of safety evaporated.”
In November 2023, again terror revisited with a viciousness that shattered any semblance of peace. Hooded figures struck again, kidnapping and pillaging in the dead of night. Desperate and traumatized, the students rallied, protesting at the school gate, yearning for assurance, for safety. However, their cries for help seemed to dissipate into the night, with assurances but no tangible action.
“Police presence, limited to Gandu Junction, proved futile,” the victim sighed. “Despite their stationed presence, the predators struck right under their noses, snatching away ten lives while two narrowly escaped. Even the sanctuary of Paradise Lodge wasn’t spared; tranquility was shattered by a sudden assault, leaving students reeling in fear.”
“We no longer seek the police; we beg for soldiers,” the victim implored, echoing the sentiments of countless others in their besieged community.
Emmanuel Emma, a final-year student, expressed the prevailing distress: “The situation is dire. Since the start of the semester, kidnappings have become routine. Sleep eludes us, and despite promises from the governor for a security outpost, nothing has materialized.”
Emma further lamented, “Police extortion is a bitter reality. I’ve witnessed it firsthand in a neighboring lodge. We implore the authorities to act swiftly; our lives hang in the balance. We’re in the midst of exams; our plea is simple: ensure our safety.”
“Yesterday, an entire lodge was kidnapped, and their fate remains unknown.”
A young female student, preferring anonymity, courageously voiced her anguish over the ceaseless turmoil that has shadowed the resumption of school. Her lament echoed the sentiments of a student body robbed of tranquility for months, enduring sleepless nights amidst constant fear and anxiety.
“Joy eludes us since the school reopened,” she confessed. “We live in constant dread, deprived of peace of mind, especially during this critical exam period.”
“The police, entrusted with our safety, stand idle. They even partook in robbing a nearby lodge. When we marched to the school gate in protest, their inaction left us disheartened.”
“The police arrive at 11 or 12 at night, demanding money without explanation,” she recounted. “They intimidate us; those who try to document the incidents face violence, losing their phones. Our sanctuary is shattered; peace has become a distant memory.”
Comrade Ibrahim Ogabo Ismaila, the Student Union Government President, raised a clarion call amidst the escalating crisis of kidnappings plaguing the Federal University.
His words echoed the collective concern over the alarming frequency of these heinous acts that have become a haunting routine, stealing away the peace from the student community.
“The kidnappings are no longer occasional; they’ve become a distressing pattern,” Comrade Ibrahim expressed, shedding light on the grim reality of near-daily abductions.
Just yesterday, two incidents occurred within a span of hours, shaking the campus to its core. The initial attack at Conference Lodge narrowly missed tragedy, thanks to the swift intervention of soldiers. However, the assailants struck again, this time at Gandu, snatching seven students in a brazen display of audacity.
Repeated attempts to assuage the student body’s angst failed, with six prior pleas for restraint unheeded. The spate of incidents culminated in the spontaneous protest witnessed today, an outpouring of frustration and fear.
He said despite assurances from the school management and a personal visit from Governor Abdullahi Sule, promises of respite remained unfulfilled, leaving the community disillusioned.
Comrade Ibrahim emphasized the dire need for concrete action, urging the federal government to intervene swiftly noting that the security personnel should focused on blocking key access routes to the small Gandu community. “Securing these few roads could sever the kidnappers’ paths,”
He further said the kidnerpers are not mobile they relied solely on foot for their sinister operations, leaving students vulnerable and incensed.
He appeal to security agencies to have a joint forces, a synergy between state and federal agencies to safeguard the students’ sanctity and ease their exam-induced fear.
He however, suggested repurposing a dormant police public relations facility into a functioning police station, a tangible step towards fortifying security within their besieged community.
Earlier In a fortnight, an incident
was reported by a source residing in Gandu area who do not want his name on print said assailants stormed the community resulting in the tragic death of an individual identified as Danteni. His wife and daughter were abducted amid the chaos, highlighting the dire consequences of the ongoing insecurity.
The community’s District Head, Abdullahi Mohammed, who spoke in Hausa Language expressed deep concern over the worsening situation, emphasizing the vulnerability of the community members.
Urgently calling on the state government, pleading for immediate intervention through the establishment of a police post and deployment of military personnel to restore safety.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Rahman Nansel, had confirmed the incident of the kidnaped and death of the mechanic in a telephone conversation with our correspondent.
He said the police command, upon receiving a distress call that there was a sporadic gunshot around the Gandu area by gunmen, drafted its men to the scene of the incident.
He, however, said police officers, after arriving the scene, discovered that one Danteni, a mechanic, was shot. The victim died in the hospital.
“Our personnel of the command went back with a re-enforcement team to protect the entire Gandu community but before they could reach the house of the deceased, his wife was taken away by the gunmen.
“Our personnel combed the entire area but all efforts to rescue the woman proved abortive,” he added.
In the wake of the unfortunate protest, Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, Head of Communication at the school, provided insights into the proactive measures and earnest commitment of the school management to safeguard the students’ well-being.
In a candid phone interview with our correspondent, Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim elucidated the school’s pre-emptive actions, emphasizing their concerted efforts to avert such incidents.
He highlighted the institution’s proactive stance by confirming prior communication with security agencies and stakeholders in a bid to forestall the situation. “Despite these proactive measures, the protest surged, propelling the school into further action.”
Undeterred by the recent events, he confirmed that the management conducted an emergency meeting to strategize on reinforcing security measures.
‘Plans were set in motion to establish a dedicated vigilante team to collaborate with security personnel, aiming to fortify safety protocols and ensure a secure environment for all students.”
Moreover, the school management has also revealed plans to construct additional hostels within the school premises to mitigate risks associated with incidents occurring outside the campus, offering safer accommodation options within the school confines and enhancing student safety.
The Institution information officer conveyed heartfelt empathy for the affected students, expressing deep sadness over the incident. He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the school management to relentlessly pursue measures until a resolution is attained, ensuring the safety and well-being of the students remains the top priority. He added.