Nigerian Senators refuse to close down University of Maiduguri over Boko Haram killings

– The federal government recently put in place measures to ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility at the University of Maiduguri

– The measure includes the immediate perimeter fencing of the school and the deployment of critical security systems to ensure full surveillance and detection of security breaches

– The government was said to have later ordered that the institution should be closed down when the killing of the innocent was becoming alarming

The Senate has ordered the federal government and security agencies to avoid the stoppage of full academic activities and closure of the University of Maiduguri because of Boko-Haram insurgency.

Reports have it that Senator Baba Garbai (APC, Borno) expressed concern over the location of the institution which is the center of the protracted Boko-Haram battle.

Senate Garbai said: “Over 70 professors, several students and staff have left the university during the height of the ongoing insecurity in the camps to other universities within and outside the country due to fear.

“Between January 16 and June 25, a period spanning six months, the university community was hit with six bomb blasts which resulted in the death of 19 students and staff of the school.

“The current porous state of security in the institution, coupled with the vast expanse of land it sits on and the external conditions of security across the state has exacerbated the situation and made these attacks more effective.”

The Senate consequently said: “The federal government urgently intervene and put in place extraordinary measures to ensure the full restoration of the peace and tranquility of the University of Maiduguri including the immediate perimeter fencing of the school and the deployment of critical security systems to ensure full surveillance and detection of security breaches.

“The security agencies to submit to the Senate a comprehensive plan of action to maintain and assure the constant security of the University of Maiduguri in particular and the host community of the school.

“The minister of Education through TETFUND to take further measures to revamp the security infrastructure by immediately embarking on the fencing of the institution as well as take other measures to reassure the university community of their security and protection.”

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki said the university is a symbol of Nigeria’s victory over the Boko-Haram sect and thus must not be defeated.

He said: “This motion is important and disturbing. This university has been a symbol of courage of our people, student, and management throughout the whole incidence of the boko- haram insurgence.

”Any symbol of our victory that this university has shown despite the level of insurgency. As government and people we must ensure that normalcy is restored and students who are the softest target can continue their education. We cannot be defeated on this.”

Meanwhile, it had been reported that thegovernor of Borno state Kashim Shettimaapproved N50 million for the digging of trenches and sand building sands hills around the University of Maiduguri.

The aim of the new project, a Borno state official said, it to prevent further attacks on the institution by Boko Haram terrorists. A statement by the Borno state governor’s spokesperson Isa Gusau said the trench would go round the university’s 27 kilometre radius.