House Directs FG to Restore Peace to University of Maiduguri

By James Emejo in Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution urging the federal government to urgently intervene and provide extraordinary measures to restore peace and tranquility to the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) to forestall a total closure. 

It ordered an immediate perimeter fencing of the institution and deployment of critical security systems to ensure full surveillance and detection of security breaches.

The lawmakers also urged security agencies to submit to the House, a comprehensive plan of action to maintain constant security of the ivory tower in particular and the host community in general. 

Furthermore, the green chamber mandated the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to ensure implementation and report back to the House in four weeks for further legislative action.

In the motion sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC,  Borno) and 15 others,  the House took cognisance  of the disturbing trend of rising insecurity at the university described as a foremost institution of learning in the country.

Lawmakers further noted that due to the location of UNIMAID in Maiduguri, which is the epicenter of the protracted Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, the “school is gradually but persistently becoming a soft target for the insurgents.

Members in their debate,  said the eventual closure of the university could signify victory for Boko Haram which had been relentless in destroying educational institutions in the region. 

Monguno, in his lead debate said over 70 professors, students and staff had left the university at the height of the insecurity in the campus to other universities within and outside the country for fear of attacks. 

He added that the university community had been hit with six suicide bomb attacks which had resulted in the death of 19 students and staff between January 16 and June 25, 2017.