Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, Prof Galadima Ahmad, talks to ABDULLATEEF FOWEWE about the recent abduction of some students of the university and other challenges affecting the institution
On September 22, it was reported that some female students of the university were abducted by bandits. How did you receive the report?
I am Prof Galadima Ahmad, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Gusau, located in Zamfara State. Yes, the incident happened in the early hours of Friday, September, 22, between 3 am and 4 am. The kidnappers managed to gain access to the university’s off-campus accommodation for the female students in the Sabongida community, abducted several female students, and proceeded to the varsity premises and targeted a staff member from the protocol unit. Additionally, they proceeded to the construction site on campus and abducted some workers there.
How many people were kidnapped by the gunmen?
They kidnapped 30 female students, one university protocol officer, and 10 construction workers.
Were you present in the school when the incident occurred?
No, I was not present in the school at the time the incident happened because staff members, except for the security personnel, do not have accommodation within the university grounds. Our staff members only come to the school during working hours and return to their respective homes at the close of work. It is considered unsafe for any staff member to remain overnight on campus due to the prevalent insecurity in the state.
Are there any military or police bases located on the university’s premises?
No, but there is a military base close to the university’s permanent site, and there are numerous police officers who regularly patrol the school grounds. However, the military and police respond promptly if we have any emergencies, as they did in the recent incident where their tireless efforts made them successfully rescue some of our students from the kidnappers during daylight hours.
Was any of the security agents kidnapped, killed or injured while carrying out their duties?
Personally, I am not aware of any such incidents, and I don’t think such a case has been reported. You should also note that I am not part of the security agency, and they likely have their procedures and tactics, which they prefer to keep confidential. Therefore, I do not have the authority to inquire about their operational methods. My primary concern and responsibility lie in ensuring the safety of our valued students, providing the security agencies with all the necessary information regarding our current situation at the station and contacting them whenever necessary. However, it should be understood that the details of their strategies and plans are beyond my scope of knowledge, as I am bound by restrictions.
But it is undisputed that the external security forces are making significant efforts to protect us, despite putting their own lives at risk. Meanwhile, the school’s internal security is restricted to the use of some weapons, and the kidnappers were armed with powerful weapons. So, the school’s local security can’t operate alone without the service of external security agencies, as they have capable weapons and adequate security tactics.
Do you think the bandits have informants within the university community?
Please, note that as I am not part of the security agencies, I am not authorised to be monitoring students’ behaviour. The security agency is responsible for this task, and they have never informed the school that they suspect a student of being an informant to the kidnappers. If any of the students are suspected of being informants, the agency knows how to identify them internally. If it needs to be escalated to the Department of State Services, they will handle it, as they are familiar with their operating procedures.
How much of a threat have the activities of bandits been to university?
You see, issues of insecurity are not something you would wish upon your worst enemy. When insecurity affects the university, it does not affect only people whom they are attacking, but everyone’s life is at risk. As university workers, we cannot freely walk around without concern, as we never know who may be following us. Come to think of it, even with the prompts of the varsity to contact security agencies for assistance, the kidnappers also understand that one of the university workers is responsible for alerting authorities. So if they were to capture any of the university workers, do you think they would leave us and move on? No, they can’t spare us. Our safety is not guaranteed, and it is only by the grace of God that we are protected.
How worried are the students whose colleagues were kidnapped by bandits?
Both the students and the general population are afraid, given the uncertainty surrounding the next target.
What measures are being taken to guarantee their safety?
While I cannot divulge all the details to the public, the school is diligently working towards restoring peace within its community. There is regular monitoring by soldiers and police on the school grounds, with additional patrols in the surrounding area, ensuring the safety of our students both on and off the school premises.
Why do you think bandits made university students and workers their targets?
We cannot afford to offend any individual or group. The university management maintains friendly relationships with all members of the community. There are specific departments within the university that focus on fostering connections with the residents. Some of the departments are responsible for community development, conducting thorough research to identify areas of need, and the school will address them based on the findings. We also heavily emphasis on maintaining positive relationships with community leaders. I can confidently say that the university has never encountered any issues, not only in Zamfara State but throughout the entire country. The insecurity plaguing our university is a concern shared by the entirety of Zamfara State and some neighbouring states.
Naturally, we are deeply concerned about the current state of affairs. It is incredibly difficult to live without peace, and it is unrealistic to expect individuals to be content under such circumstances; even if we force happiness, it will still be limited. We will persist until we achieve the peace we deserve. We have faith in God, and our partnership with security agencies to restore peace.
What other steps has the university taken to make the environment peaceful for the workers and students?
I cannot disclose the other steps we are taking, as it could be used against us. I have mentioned before that revealing our plans is like indirectly informing kidnappers, who can then use the tactics to harm us. We must not do anything that jeopardises the safety of our students.
Has the government taken any action?
Yes, definitely. All the external security personnel we are utilising are affiliated with the government. You should refer to the statement released by the President after the incident, where he ordered all security agencies to rescue the remaining individuals held by the kidnappers with immediate effect. Additionally, the deputy governor, Commissioner of Police, director of the DSS and some top government officials visited us at the university on the day of the incident and commiserated with us, and the deputy governor promised to collaborate with the Federal Government and bring peace back to the school.
Was there a meeting held in a bid to rescue the remaining students and what was the outcome?
I cannot provide any information regarding alleged meetings as I am not involved in politics. If the university management is informed, I would be made aware of it, but currently, we have not heard anything from the government regarding this incident. The only information that is available to me currently is the focus on the Federal Government’s efforts to rescue the students as ordered by President (Bola) Tinubu and which security agencies are working tirelessly on.
It was learned that the Nigerian Army successfully rescued some of the abducted students. Can you provide more details on that?
Yes, a total of 16 individuals were rescued on the same day they were abducted. Among them, 14 are students, and the remaining two are construction workers.
How do you think insecurity can be properly addressed in Nigeria?
I want to believe that Nigerian security forces have more weapons than the bandits. So if people are providing the security agencies with useful intelligence reports, it would help them to handle those evil people (criminals) easily. Moreover, the government should invest more funds in the security sector. Also, security personnel should not give up on continuous training, and they should adapt to the use of modern security technologies like drones, and others.
Also, we need adequate security, and our students lack university accommodation. So, we will be glad if the government can provide hostels within the university campus, and the perimeter fence, a wall surrounding the whole university, as it would build confidence and improve the well-being of our students.
I strongly advise our students to remain calm and continue with their normal studies; they should not let anything distract them. All efforts are in place to ensure their security and safety. They should also complement our efforts with prayers. I wish them all the best with their academic activities.
