‘Students linked to kidnapping must be dismissed after investigation’ — FG

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts across the country to dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related crimes after a proper investigation.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa gave the directive during a meeting with the governing council and management of the Federal University of Lafia in Abuja.

He also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to improve intelligence gathering on campuses and work more closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

The minister said institutions must not allow criminal activities to take root on campuses.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements,” he said.

Alausa further said that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, but noted that recent isolated cases involving students outside campuses show the need for stronger security measures.

He added: “We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions.”

The minister revealed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative and improve security for students nationwide.

He also restated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must not negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that doing so only encourages criminal activities.

To improve campus security, Alausa said the Federal Government would support security projects in tertiary institutions through the 2027 TETFund intervention programme.

The projects will include perimeter fencing and other security facilities, while institutions needing additional electricity will benefit from the expansion of the Energising Education Programme through more solar power infrastructure.

During the meeting, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, highlighted challenges facing the institution, including inadequate hostel accommodation, power supply and insecurity.

She disclosed that some students were suspected of involvement in kidnappings carried out outside the campus and stressed that the university strongly opposes paying ransom to kidnappers because it encourages further crimes.