The Senate on Wednesday called on security agencies in the country to submit to a comprehensive plan of action towards checkmating Boko Haram attacks on University of Maiduguri in particular and the host community of the school.
According to the lawmakers, the federal government needs to urgently intervene and immediately put in place extraordinary measures to ensure the full restoration of peace and tranquility to the University.These should include the immediate perimeter fencing of the school and deployment of critical security systems to ensure full surveillance and detection of security breaches.
The legislators also called on the Minister of Education through the TETFUND to take further measures to revamp the security infrastructures by immediately embarking on fencing of the institution as well as take other measures to reassures the University community of their security and protection.
The development followed a motion sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbe (Borno Central) and 45 other Senators.The motion highlighted the urgent need to avoid a disruption of full academic activities and closure of the University due to rising spate of Boko Haram suicide bomb attacks.
Garbe raised the alarm over the disturbing trend of rising insecurity at the University. According to him, the campus is gradually becoming a soft target and signature battle point in the fight against insurgency. “This foremost institution which can safely be described as the last institution standing following the advent of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East is on the verge of caving into the relentless assault on it by the insurgents” Garbe said.
He further stated that Boko Haram insurgents have adopted the tactics of unbridled suicide bombings targeted at the institution with a view to bringing the University down to its knees. “This is a situation that must never be allowed to happen in our generation,” Garbe added.
The Senator also stated that the new wave of violence which is drawing public outcry and condemnation from home and abroad has heightened fears that unless something urgent is done the institution may be converted into another theatre of war.
He said over 70 Professors, several students and staff have left the University during the height of the ongoing insecurity in the campus to other University within and outside the country due to fear.
