The Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Professor Lawal Bilbis, has said the unique location of the university has made it vulnerable to bandit attacks.
He made the disclosure during their 38,39,40,41st combined convocation on Saturday.
“As you have witnessed today, the university’s permanent site is situated approximately 15 kilometers from the city centre.
“In addition, the campus has a landmass covering 5,630 hecters, nestled amidst approximately 60 villages and hamlets with a collective population of about 200,000 people.
“This unique geographical setting poses a significant security threat, as tertiary institutions increasingly become soft targets for criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping.
“Challenges posed by external security threats emanating from surrounding communities, including violent political conflicts, thefts, kidnapping and banditry attacks.
“These incidents, often alarming and on the rise, encroach dangerously close to our students’ hall of residence and staff residential areas and requires the urgent need for enhanced security measures,” he said
Bilbis appealed for the completion of the University’s perimeter fencing and the relocation of villages inside the university.
In his remarks, Visitor to the University and President Bola Tinubu, however, said one of the priorities of his government was to improve quality of education and safety of our universities.
Speaking at the 38,39,40 and 41st combined convocation of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Tinubu stressed that, his government would safeguard financial health of universities.
“This administration recognizes education remains the key pillar for every citizen to realize his potential for the attainment of individual and national benefits.
“Inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda, this administration is working assiduously towards ensuring adequate funding and other forms of support for educational institutions in the country
“One of the priorities of this government is to improve quality of education, safety and safeguard financial health of our universities for relevance and effectiveness.
“While doing this, transparency, accountability and prudent management are the hallmarks insist upon by this government,” he said
Represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, he emphasized that, public resources must be wisely and judiciously utilized.
