The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, has expressed concern over the effect of insecurity on student enrolment, saying fear of kidnapping and other criminal activities is discouraging some students from attending the institution.
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Kida raised the concern on Monday while speaking with journalists at the university in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
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He said the institution had been working with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military to address security challenges affecting the university and surrounding communities.
According to the vice chancellor, the university has also engaged 150 volunteer hunters and vigilantes to support security agencies by providing information and intelligence that could assist in responding quickly to security threats on campus and in communities where students live.
Kida acknowledged that the university had recently faced security challenges involving kidnapping, cultism and drug-related activities in areas such as Mararaba, Akunza and other communities around the institution.
He said the university was taking steps to protect students and staff while working with security agencies to address the threats.
The vice chancellor said student enrolment had been declining, attributing the reduction partly to fear caused by insecurity in and around the university.
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He called on journalists to support efforts to tackle criminal activities by reporting security threats and helping to create public awareness.
Kida said the institution was engaging the media because of its role in disseminating information and supporting intelligence gathering.
He expressed particular concern about the impact of kidnapping on students, especially when they are abducted while writing examinations or participating in academic activities and their families are unable to raise the ransom demanded by their abductors.
According to him, the fear created by such incidents can affect students’ ability to concentrate on their studies and undermine their academic activities.
He said the security challenge affecting FULafia was part of a wider problem facing the country, but noted that its impact on students was especially concerning for the university.
Kida said protecting students and staff from kidnapping, banditry, cultism, drug abuse and other criminal activities remained a priority for the institution.
He also appealed to media organisations to work with the university in raising awareness about security threats and supporting efforts to keep students and staff safe.
The vice chancellor, however, warned bloggers and social media users against publishing unverified information about the university. He urged them to confirm the accuracy of reports before sharing them to avoid creating additional fear or confusion among students, staff and members of the public.
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