Following the recent security challenges bedeviling the students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) who are residing around the Felele axis of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, has expressed sadness and deep concern over the ugly development.

The Vice-Chancellor was reacting to reports of robberies and attacks on the student population living within the Felele and Crusher communities, allegedly perpetuated at night by unscrupulous criminal elements within the past few days.

In a statement released by the University Public Relations Officer, Mr. Daniel Nwankwo, the Vice-Chancellor condemned in strong terms the heinous crime committed against the peace-loving students of the Institution, describing it as unwarranted and worrisome. 

Professor Akinwumi sympathized with the affected students and assured them of urgent measures being taken in collaboration with relevant security agencies and leaders of the communities concerned to restore normalcy and guarantee their well-being. 

He offered medical support to students of the University who were victims of the unfortunate incidents and might still require medical intervention, calling for calm as the security breach in the affected areas had been escalated to relevant authorities.

The Vice-Chancellor extended Management's full support to the Dean of Students, Professor Abdullahi Musa Yusufu, and the Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Babafemi S. Mepaiyeda (Rtd), who have been working round the clock with security agencies towards addressing the situation, commending the proactive approach with which the matter is being handled.

Furthermore, Professor Akinwumi tasked the security agencies to spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts, terrorizing and causing untold hardship to innocent students of FUL and the neighbouring Kogi State Polytechnic within Felele and Crusher communities, were apprehended and brought to justice.

He also commended the swift responses and intervention of the Lokoja Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, and the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, psc (+) who have both issued press statements to that effect.

While the Transition Committee Chairman has called an emergency security meeting with relevant stakeholders involving student leaders, community chiefs, University representatives, and security agencies, the Commissioner of Police, on the other hand, has deployed a tactical team to the area for intelligence gathering and visibility policing to reassure the students of their safety. They equally urged residents of the communities to cooperate with security operatives and provide credible information on the activities of criminals around the areas.

Meanwhile, restrictions of movement have been placed around Felele, Felele Phase 2, Adaba, Back of NPC, Back of ADP, Mawogi, Sarkin Noma, and Poly Village, in addition to deploying a joint security patrol team to the communities. The decision followed a careful review of the escalating security situation in the areas during a meeting convened by the Lokoja Local Government Transition Committee Chairman on Monday, March 25, 2024.

In a press statement, residents of the areas have been notified that movement would be restricted to only essential activities between 10:00pm to 5:00am beginning from Wednesday, 27th March, while continuous enhanced security patrols would be conducted throughout the communities. The statement enjoined the residents to adhere strictly to the directives given by the Local Government Council adding that the restriction measures were temporary.

Recall that during a working visit to the Federal University Lokoja earlier this month, the Commissioner of Police expressed commitment to strengthening the existing relationship between the Police and the University, assuring FUL Management of prompt response and unwavering dedication to security matters involving the University.