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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Tension gripped Nasasrawa State University as lecturers and students took to the streets to protest the alarming increase in kidnappings.
The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osokede, strongly condemned the ongoing kidnapping, declaring it unacceptable.
Protesters were seen carrying placards with inscriptions like ‘Governor AA Sule, Save Us from Kidnappers and Terrorists” and “Our Meagre Salaries Are Not for Ransom.”
They implored the authorities to ensure their safety with messages like “Let the Lecturers Breathe.”
Prof Emmanuel Osokede, during his official visit to the university on Friday, revealed that over five lecturers had fallen victim to kidnappings, forcing their families to pay ransoms for their release.
The ASUU Chairman of Nasasrawa State University, NSUK Keffi, Prof. Samuel Alu, expressed deep concern, highlighting the lack of a firm response from security and university management.
He called on the police and relevant security agencies to take immediate action to prevent further escalation.
Responding, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Abdullahi Sallau Modibo, who is now serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor, shared alarming statistics, stating that three lecturers, four students, and the wife of a lecturer were kidnapped.
He reassured the community that the university was collaborating with the Civil Defense to address the situation. He also noted that the majority of kidnappings occurred outside the school’s premises, emphasizing that the campus itself remains safe.
“Efforts are underway to establish security checkpoints in strategic areas around the school environment in cooperation with the army,” he assured.
