Northern students’ body expresses worry over high rate of insecurity in higher institutions
The Students Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups has voiced alarm over the escalating insecurity in higher education institutions.
The students highlighted that the pervasive insecurity on campuses has led to a disturbing trend where kidnapping and banditry attacks are becoming increasingly commonplace, resulting in students experiencing psychological trauma, anxiety, and fear of abduction.
The National Coordinator of the group, Hassan Adamu, told newsmen in Kaduna that , “The act has increased student’s anxiety, leading to the withdrawal of female students from schools and poor academic performance.
“The Academic Staff Union of the University has issued a notice of warning strike, as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to resolve issues relating to the agreement reached between them.
”Hyperinflation as a result of the exchange rate policy has multiplied the price of learning materials by 300%, as many students can’t afford essential textbooks, it is so bad that most students cannot afford a meal a day”.
The students’ group also demanded increased security measures, including troop deployment, to address campus insecurity and prevent academic disruptions.
They stressed that they cannot tolerate a return to the era of prolonged academic calendars, recalling the experience of spending seven years on a four-year course.
The Coalition extended sympathy to flood disaster victims, urging governments to expedite relief efforts. Additionally, they advocated for a review of the Federal Government’s foreign exchange policies, echoing expert advice.
“The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, reintroduce electricity subsidies at least for tertiary institutions or provide adequate Solar electrification as expected”.
