Worried by incessant killings of students in some tertiary institutions in the country, stakeholders on Wednesday called for measures aimed at tightening up security on the campuses and students’ hostels.
The stakeholders, including a former Commissioner for Education and a lawmaker, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that threats to lives and property in the institutions should be curbed without further delay.
They spoke against the backdrop of the lynching of four University of Port Harcourt students and the killing of 43 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa, by unknown gunmen.
Mr Olufunmi Bashorun, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, told NAN that the killings had shown that the tertiary institutions lacked adequate security.
“The issue of security in the nation’s tertiary institutions and in the hostels should be given priority attention by government at all levels and the authorities of the schools.
“The mindless killing of the students is condemnable and worrisome; the deaths of the students are a waste of human capital development.
“Government at local, state and federal levels should take the issue of security of students and staff in the various institutions seriously,’’ he said.
Bashorun added:“No matter how much we invest in the students, if they are not protected, the investment will be a waste.
“Armed security men should be deployed to our campuses and the hostels, in addition to the vigilance groups in their communities.
The former commissioner called for an end to all forms of brutalities being unleashed on students in the country.
A Lagos lawmaker, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, also suggested that effective security should be provided at the various schools.
“Government should provide security in the tertiary institutions to ward off gunmen and unscrupulous elements.’’Akinsola, vice chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, said the sanctity of the institutions of higher learning should be protected.
Mr Semasa Sutton, Director for Basic Education Services, State Ministry of Education, also expressed concern over what he called the mindless killing of students in some parts of the country.
“The issue of security in each state should be taken seriously and it should not be left in the hands of the police alone.
“In the past, students and teachers provide information or intelligence for security agencies and also some respected members of the communities.
“We should police the campuses and ensure adequate security for our students,’’ he said.