FG Directs Tertiary Institutions to Expel Students Convicted of Kidnapping

FG Directs Tertiary Institutions to Expel Students Convicted of Kidnapping
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FG Directs Tertiary Institutions to Expel Students Convicted of Kidnapping

The federal government has directed all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country to expel any student found guilty of kidnapping or other related criminal offences after due investigation.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa issued the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council members, and management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the directive is part of the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to strengthen security within tertiary institutions and ensure a safe learning environment.

Alausa also instructed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts to establish robust campus intelligence systems and work closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to identify and prevent criminal activities.

He stressed that institutions must adopt zero tolerance for criminal behaviour among students.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed,” the minister said.

He added that higher institutions must never serve as safe havens for criminal elements, noting that government has a responsibility to protect students and preserve the integrity of educational institutions.

While describing Nigeria’s tertiary institutions as generally safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses underscored the need for stronger intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with security agencies.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding learners at all levels of education, revealing that he recently met with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy for strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.

He also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must neither negotiate with kidnappers nor pay ransom, warning that such actions encourage criminality.

To further enhance campus security, Alausa announced that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would finance security infrastructure projects, including perimeter fencing, under its 2027 intervention programme. He urged eligible institutions to submit their proposals promptly.

The minister also restated the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply in higher institutions through additional solar power installations and battery storage systems.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Prof. Lola Akande, identified insecurity, inadequate hostel accommodation and poor electricity supply at the institution’s second campus as major challenges facing the university.

She disclosed that some students of the institution were suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities carried out outside the campus and reaffirmed the university’s opposition to the payment of ransom for the release of kidnapping victims.

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According to the Customs boss, the Service received 573,680 applications for just 3,852 available positions, making the exercise one of the most competitive in the agency’s history. He explained that all applications underwent rigorous screening procedures, including computer-based examinations, verification of credentials against the National Identity database, and additional checks where inconsistencies were detected. He noted that candidates who made the final list would still undergo physical and medical examinations before receiving final approval from the Nigeria Customs Service Board. Adeniyi disclosed that the overall success rate was 0.67 per cent, meaning only one out of every 148 applicants secured a place in the exercise. Breaking down the figures, he said the Superintendent Cadre attracted 276,995 applications for 1,275 vacancies, representing one successful applicant out of every 217 candidates. The Inspectorate Cadre recorded 128,604 applications for 367 positions, making it the most competitive category with one successful candidate for every 350 applicants, while the Customs Assistant Cadre received 168,081 applications for 2,210 vacancies, translating to one successful applicant for every 76 candidates. He encouraged unsuccessful applicants not to be discouraged, stressing that many met the required qualifications but could not be accommodated because of the limited vacancies and intense competition. The Comptroller-General said the recruitment reflected the Federal Character principle, with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory represented. Each state was allocated 105 slots, comprising 35 positions in the Superintendent Cadre, 10 in the Inspectorate Cadre and 60 in the Customs Assistant Cadre, while the FCT received 72 slots under the approved allocation formula. 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