FG Orders Universities to Expel Students Found Guilty of Kidnapping

 

By Ajimati Samuel 

The Federal Government has directed all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria to immediately dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related criminal activities after due investigation, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security within the nation's tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, issued the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia, led by Pro-Chancellor Lola Fibisola Akande, at his office in Abuja.

The minister stressed that any student proven to have planned, aided or participated in the kidnapping of fellow students or any other person has no place in Nigeria's higher institutions and must be expelled without hesitation.

According to Alausa, institutions must not allow criminal behaviour to take root within their campuses, warning that misconduct tolerated over time eventually becomes entrenched in institutional culture. He emphasized that universities are expected to uphold discipline while maintaining an environment conducive to learning and character development.

As part of the directive, the minister instructed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts to strengthen internal intelligence mechanisms and intensify collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and other security agencies in their respective states to prevent criminal activities on and around campuses.

The directive followed concerns raised by the leadership of the Federal University of Lafia, which disclosed that some students were suspected of having links to kidnapping operations carried out outside the university environment. The institution also reaffirmed its opposition to the payment of ransom for abducted victims.

Responding, Alausa noted that while Nigerian tertiary institutions remain largely safe, recent isolated security incidents involving students outside campus premises underscore the need for stronger surveillance, intelligence gathering and preventive measures.

The minister said the move forms part of the Federal Government's broader security agenda, revealing that he recently held consultations with the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.

He also reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive that no government institution should negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom, describing the administration's security reforms as receiving full presidential backing.

On infrastructure, Alausa announced that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2027 intervention programme will prioritize security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions, including perimeter fencing and other protective facilities. He urged institutions requiring such interventions to submit their requests early for consideration.

Beyond security, the Federal University of Lafia delegation also highlighted challenges relating to student accommodation and electricity supply at the institution's second campus.

The minister concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government's commitment to safeguarding learners across all levels of education, describing the protection of Nigerian students as a shared responsibility requiring sustained collaboration between educational institutions, security agencies and government.