FUT Minna Students Protest Rising Robbery Attacks, Shut Down Campus

FUT Minna Students Protest Rising Robbery Attacks, Shut Down Campus
Protest disrupted academic activities and blocked access to the university.
University says police and vigilantes are addressing off campus security concerns.

Students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday staged a protest over alleged recurring off campus robbery attacks, disrupting academic activities at the institution.

The protest began as early as 8:00 a.m. when the students blocked the Minna–Bida Road, leaving motorists and other road users stranded. They later moved to the university’s main gate, preventing access to the campus.

The demonstration also prevented the Vice Chancellor from entering the university. Attempts by the Vice Chancellor to address the protesting students were unsuccessful as they insisted he leave the premises.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that University security personnel later created a passage that enabled the Vice Chancellor to gain access to the campus after several hours.

The students also denied entry to several members of staff, including the Deputy Vice Chancellors, top management officials and academic staff. Many of the affected staff members eventually returned home after the protesters insisted that no one would be allowed into the university.

The protest also disrupted the university’s scheduled computer aptitude semester test for 100 and 300 level students.

One of the protesting students alleged that a student was killed during a robbery attack three days earlier, while another attack on Monday night left several students injured.

The student said, “For the past one week, we have not had it comfortable with the rate of robbery attacks. We have continued to lose our valuables including our laptops and phones. Some of my colleagues were injured last night. Should we continue like this? We are not safe honestly speaking.”

The student further alleged that the university management had been informed repeatedly about the security challenges but had failed to take adequate steps to protect students living off campus.

A member of staff blamed the protest on growing frustration among students, noting that they pay ₦10,000 as security charges every academic session.

According to the staff member, the university management had not done enough to address the worsening security situation affecting students residing outside the campus.

Responding to the development, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Bashir Ganiyu, said the university had been engaging the Niger State Police Command to strengthen security around off campus student residences.

He explained that while off campus security falls under the responsibility of the police, the university had also deployed vigilantes to support law enforcement efforts.

“We are handling the situation. The Off Campus security is under the control of the police. Notwithstanding we have vigilantes to assisting the police. Even the Commissioner of Police is aware of our challenge and the matter will be addressed,” Ganiyu said.

FUT Minna Students Protest Rising Robbery Attacks, Shut Down Campus

The protest comes days after the Niger State Government dismissed reports of bandit invasions in Minna and other communities across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nana, had assured residents that the reports were false, following widespread panic over claims that bandits had invaded some schools in the state.