Bandits, in the early hours of yesterday, invaded the University of Abuja staff quarters and abducted four lecturers and some of their children.
The gunmen were said to have stormed the staff quarters in Giri and held lecturers hostage.
The development created panic in the university community, which is about 20 minutes’ drive to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
An alert message to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reads in part: “Good morning, Comrades, Prof. Obansa and his son, Prof Oboscolo, son and daughters, Mall Sambo Mohammed and Dr. Tobins were kidnapped in Giri University Staff Quarters. Pls we need your prayers for their safe return.”
On its Facebook page the university said, “Suspected bandits attacked the staff quarters of the university in the early hours of today (yesterday). Our safety officers, in conjunction with security personnel, mobilised to secure the quarters. We have report that four of our staff and their children were, nevertheless, abducted by the evil men.
“Efforts are being made to ensure their safe return. A sad day for us, indeed!”
The attack was also confirmed by the university’s Head, Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob.
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It was gathered that the gunmen numbering about 20 gained access to the staff quarters from the east end of the permanent site of the university, close to the mountains, pulled down the fence and attacked houses in the area.
A member of staff said they came after midnight, shot into the air and left about two hours later, taking with them six persons.
“They came in through the fence, attacked the houses that are near the fence towards the bushy side of the permanent site; the side that is facing the hills, that is where they came in from. The eastern side of the staff quarters is surrounded by bushes.
“They came in with heavy guns and were shooting rapidly. They stationed themselves in strategic places in the quarters and were shooting in the air and the guns were so heavy. Those places where they had problems entering, places where there are burglar proofs, they shot at those places.”
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, in 2020, complained about the presence of bandits in the university community.
The VC had in a statement issued by the Head, Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob said staff and students were “living in fear of bandits.”
“The truth is that this great university is in trouble right now. I say this because we have all sorts of people who are living on the campus, who are using the land without respect for the environment.
“It is worse now because bandits are coming in and taking over land both within staff residences and outside. Our students are being attacked; we are living in fear of bandits. Some of the indigenes give land to these bandits without really knowing them.”
Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday said policemen and soldiers have been deployed on the university’s campuses as well as staff quarters and other affiliate formations.
The abducted persons would be rescued and the perpetrators arrested and brought to book, the CP declared.
The police released the following phone numbers on which residents could provide information on “all suspicious movements, emergency or distress: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883”.
“The police and other security agencies including the military are working to ensure the safe rescue of the victims,” the Inspector-General of Police Usman Baba Alkali said.
The IG spoke during a visit to Lagos yesterday following the collapse of a storey building in Ikoyi.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the attack on the university as shocking.
In a statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the attack was cowardly and demanded an unconditional release of the victims.
The PDP also said the incident, occurring within the precinct of the seat of power, showed the helplessness and failure of the present administration.