Residents of Gandu community, home to over 6,000 Federal University of Lafia students, are in turmoil and fear due to a threatening letter allegedly from bandits.
The letter suggests the bandits may start killing their kidnap victims instead of seeking ransom, adding to the distress caused by the recent kidnapping of 12 students between October and December 2023.
In response, more than 500 students protested, demanding an end to the kidnappings, displaying placards with messages like “Our lives are in peril” and “We need security.” Security forces dispersed the protest with tear gas.
The Federal University of Lafia management is deeply concerned, holding numerous meetings to ensure the safety of the community before the resumption later this month.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Professor Aleruchi Chukwu, led a security meeting urging collaboration for a comprehensive security plan involving the university and neighboring areas.
Stakeholders emphasized collective responsibility, urging community leaders to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information.
The Students Union Government President, Comrade Ibrahim Ogabo Ismaila, stressed the government’s need to take concrete action to prevent future incidents, proposing a focus on securing key access routes to Gandu community.
District Head Abdullahi Mohammed expressed concern over increasing insecurity, calling on the state government to intervene by establishing a police post and deploying military personnel to Gandu community.
Addressing the broader insecurity issue in the state, the government allocated N500 million in the 2024 budget for electricity equipment and Closed Circuit Television in Lafia.
The Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic also faced attacks, contributing to the urgency for enhanced security measures.
Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Planning, Munirah Abdullahi, highlighted government efforts, including procuring CCTV cameras for improved security in the state capital.
However, attempts to get a response from the Nasarawa State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, did not respond to calls and messages.
