FUT MINNA STUDENTS PROTEST RISING OFF-CAMPUS INSECURITY
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest over persistent armed robbery attacks at off-campus hostels, calling for urgent intervention by the university management and security agencies.
The protesters blocked the Bida-Minna Road and shut the institution’s main gate, causing heavy traffic and disrupting academic activities. They insisted they would continue the protest until concrete measures were taken to improve their safety.
Some of the students alleged that robbery incidents had continued unabated despite repeated complaints to the university, with one hostel reportedly attacked three times within a week. They appealed to the management to use part of the campus security fees paid by students to strengthen security around off-campus residences.
Reacting, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Bashir Ganiyyu, said the university had consistently reported the incidents to the relevant security agencies. He noted that while the police and local vigilantes are primarily responsible for off-campus security, the management would continue to work with stakeholders to address the situation.