The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association has described the death of Prof. Aliyu Mani, who died in Monday’s bomb blast at the University of Maiduguri as “most unfortunate’’.
In a statement in Enugu, National President of the association, Dr Godwin Abonyi, said that Mani was a colossus in the veterinary profession and rued his demise.
“We received with great shock the death in a bomb blast in a mosque on Monday, of our own Prof. Aliyu Usman Mani.
“The mindless murderers who have no respect even for places of worship have dastardly snuffed life out of this colossus in the veterinary profession and the academia. It is most unfortunate.
“We are also alarmed that the University of Maiduguri that remained a safe haven during the peak of the insurgency could have easily loosened their guard and vigilance as to enable suicide bombers have easy access to the institution.
“The veterinary profession deeply sympathizes with the family of Prof. Mani, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the university in general over the tragic incident,’’ Abonyi said.
He decried relaxation of guard, especially as recently observed at the university main gate and called on relevant authorities to restore maximum security in the institution.
Abonyi also urged the authorities of the school to carry out thorough combing within to ensure that there were no more bombers.
He commended security agencies, particularly the armed forces, on their gallant efforts to finally end “this mindless bloodletting’’.
Senator Ali Ndume called on University of Maiduguri authorities and security agencies to be more vigilant to forestall recurrence of bomb attack in the institution.
Ndume who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.
NAN recalls that a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the university in the early hours of Monday, killing four persons, including a professor.
“I was taken aback and surprised because I thought the University of Maiduguri was one of the most-secure environments in Maiduguri.
“But unfortunately, the insurgents infiltrated there with improvised explosive device.
“We lost many people, particularly Prof. Aliyu Mani. He was someone I knew personally,” Ndume said.
He called on the security agencies to beef up activities at the university and other public places in Maiduguri and other major towns in the Borno.
He acknowledged the determination of the authorities of the university to continue with its activities, not letting the terrorists’ attack to deter it.
“ It has not been deterred as it has refused to close down. If they had fallen for this threat and closed the university, we will say that the insurgents have succeeded. But live goes on.
“This kind of thing happens in many areas that should not deter people to continue with their normal daily activities,” he said.
The senator, however, prayed God to grant all the deceased eternal rest.
Veterinary association mourns Prof.
