University Students Dare FG Over Insecurity On Nigerian Campuses, Vow To Shutdown Nation's Economy

NAUS President, Comrade Ijegalu Felix (middle) flanked by other national officers of the association addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Sunday 

ABEOKUTA - As a result of the security threats on Nigerian tertiary institutions, the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has vowed to take laws into their hands if the federal government fail to find lasting solution to the high rate of insecurity. 

The association's National President, Comrade Ijegalu Felix disclosed this on Sunday at a press conference held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. 

Ijegalu expressed displeasure on the attacks carried out by bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herdsmen on students in tertiary institutions across the nation.

He noted that, the unruly attacks has not only put the lives the students in danger, but has also destroyed the already crisis ridden educational sector. 

"It is most worrisome and unfortunate that in Nigeria today, hardly will a day go by without the news of an attack on our institutions of learning, with students, lecturers and other staff members being kidnapped or killed by suspected bandits or criminal herdsmen.

"This has not only put the lives of our students in danger, but it is also destroying our already crisis ridden educational sector", he added.

The association however, beckon on President Muhammadu Buhari to provide a lasting solution to the security challenges in the country.

"We hereby call on the President Muhammadu Buhari's led government to find lasting solutions to the insecurity challenges in the country otherwise we maybe forced to take laws into our hands.

"We also call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, to immediately withdraw police personnel attached to VIPs across the country with a view to redeploying them to our various institution of learning to protect the lives of our students.

"Because of what use are the policemen to the VIPs if the lives of the students who are the future of this country continue to be in danger", he queried.

He added that students across the country are living in constant fear of being kidnapped or killed in their bid to be educated.

He emphasized that students risk their lives daily to acquire education, accusing government of failing in its duty to protect lives and properties.

The association equally appealed to the federal government to heed to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to avert another imminent strike.

It will be recalled that at about three months ago, lecturers in Nigerian universities suspended a nine-month old strike.

He said that, "it is appalling and most embarrassing that, lecturers have to go on strike for them to be taken serious by the Federal government.

"The government has once again shown its ineptitude and lack of sympathy to the plights of Nigerian students who have become puns in the game of power between the government and ASUU."

Ijegalu however, urged government to show commitment in reviving the educational sector by addressing some of the issues raised by ASUU.

He also commended the effort of Governor Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State in bringing even development to the state.

"Governor Dapo Abiodun has exhibited exceptional and purposeful leadership with his people's oriented projects which are scattered across every nook and cranny of the state" he stressed.