FG working to stop students’ abduction – Tinubu’s aide
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has said the Federal Government has been in talks with the security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure tertiary institutions are safe and secure for students.
School abductions are prevalent in the northwestern and north-central regions of Nigeria, where bandits frequently seize individuals and demand ransom for their release.
No fewer than 34 students were kidnapped in five incidents between September 22 and October 15, 2023, in the region.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Renewed Hope Agenda for students on Thursday in Abuja, Asefon added that his office is planning a security summit where heads of the various security agencies and school management would meet to map out strategies to secure the students.
He said, “The President is committed to the revival of education in the country. He is also committed to the welfare and safety of the Nigerian students. We have been speaking with the security agencies to see how we can put an end to the kidnapping of students.
“There have also been meetings to see how security around our campuses can be improved. We will extend that by organising a security summit where Deans of Student Affairs and service chiefs will fashion out how best to secure schools. This administration is committed to the safety of Nigerian students.”
Asefon also warned schools against imposing fees on students for drug tests.
His warning came following allegations that some tertiary institutions were asking students to pay for the test.
In February 2021, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency directed all tertiary institutions in the country to introduce drug integrity tests for students on an institutional policy and form a partnership with the agency to curb drug abuse in schools.
Some institutions like the University of Abuja had started implementing the directive.
But Asefon said payment for the test should not be done by students.
Asefon said, “I am not saying they should not conduct tests on students. They can go into partnership with the NDLEA and others. But students must not be made to bear the cost. Drug tests must be free for students. We reject in totality plans to make students pay for the test.”
