Breaking: Bandits invade University of Abuja, abduct lecturers, others

Unknown gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday invaded the University of Abuja Staff Quarters and kidnapped four lecturers and some of their children.

The bandits who were said to have invaded the school with heavy guns and were shooting all over after placing themselves in strategic places in the staff quarters throwing the school into panic.

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 quarter. Pls we need your Prayers for their safe returns.”

Authorities of the university in a post on its Facebook confirmed the incident, but remained silent on those kidnapped.

It said: “Suspected bandits attacked the staff quarters of the University in the early hours of today. Our safety officers, in conjunction with security personnel, mobilised to secure the quarters.

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“We have reports 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!”

Vice – Chancellor of the University, Prof Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah had in 2020 complained about the presence of bandits in the university community.

The VC in a statement issued by the Head, Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob said staff and students were “living in fear of bandits.”

“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, some don’t even ask for permission, they just take over. I can tell you that on many occasions, we have had clashes.”