FG orders universities, polytechnics to expel students involved in kidnapping

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a directive to all vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts of tertiary institutions, ordering the dismissal of any student found culpable of kidnapping or related crimes after thorough investigation. This directive aims to eradicate criminality from campuses and ensure the safety of students.

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If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, conveyed this instruction during a meeting with the management of the Federal University of Lafia. He emphasized the need for institutions to bolster their internal intelligence systems and foster deeper collaboration with the Department of State Services and other security agencies. Alausa warned that tolerating criminal behavior could foster a culture of impunity, stating that students involved in planning or participating in kidnappings have no place in higher education.

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Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements.

While acknowledging that campuses are largely safe, Alausa highlighted recent incidents involving students outside campus grounds as a call for improved intelligence gathering and closer cooperation with security bodies. He stressed the collective responsibility to protect Nigerian children throughout their educational journey, both within and outside institutions.

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We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education.

To further bolster security, the Federal Government announced plans to support perimeter fencing and other security infrastructure in tertiary institutions through the 2027 intervention program of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). This initiative follows concerns raised by the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia regarding suspected student involvement in off-campus kidnapping activities. The government also reiterated President Bola Tinubu's directive against negotiating with or paying ransom to kidnappers, as such actions embolden criminal groups.

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The Federal Government would support perimeter fencing and other security infrastructure in tertiary institutions through the 2027 intervention programme of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).