SAZU denies campus attack, says student assaulted outside premises

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The management of Bauchi State-owned Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) has refuted reports alleging that one of its students, Maryam Yakeem, was attacked within the university premises.

Maryam, a 200-level student of Biology Education, was reportedly assaulted by unidentified persons suspected to be phone snatchers.

In a statement signed and issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Auwal Hassan, the institution clarified that the incident occurred outside the university campus and not within any of its facilities as widely reported in some online media outlets.

According to the statement, reports suggesting that the attack happened inside the university are false and misleading.

“The University Management wishes to categorically state that this claim is false and does not reflect the reality of the situation,” the statement said.

It added that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir, remains committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff across the institution’s three campuses.

The management noted that through sustained collaboration with internal security units and relevant agencies, the university has recorded no reported cases of insecurity within its campuses.

It further recalled that the Vice-Chancellor had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner of Police to strengthen security cooperation and support for the university community.

The university also expressed concern over what it described as the spread of unverified and misleading information by some online media platforms, warning that such reports could create unnecessary panic and public anxiety.

Meanwhile, the university disclosed that its Chief Security Officer and the Dean of Student Affairs visited the student at the hospital shortly after the incident to ensure she received proper medical attention.

The management said the student is in stable condition.

It also conveyed the Vice-Chancellor’s sympathy to the victim and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all students.

The university called on students, staff and the general public to remain calm, assuring that all necessary measures are being taken to guarantee the continued safety of members of the university community within and outside the campus.