By Uwakmfon Dan–
Recently the University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has been blighted by the endemic twin evil of crime and violence, following the rising trend of life threatening robbery attacks being lunched on students, by alleged cultists and armed bandits, especially, at dark hours.
And just last night, the institution recorded yet another bombshell, as gunmen stormed the popular Central Bank Hall (CBN), Town Campus of the institution, carting away students’ laptops, cell phones, ATM cards and other personal belongings, few hours to the commencement of the First Semester examination.
While I would ignore going into details of the attack (at least for now), it is however worrisome, how the management of the institution has turned deaf ears to pleas by students and concerned authorities to heighten security on its campuses, to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
Critically speaking, one cannot help, but blame management of Uniuyo, for failing abysmally, in its responsibility of providing full security for her students. Thus, the inability of the school management, to address the institution’s security challenges (through the security unit), even on the eve of the of the First Semester examination, questions the institution’s preparedness to attaining “world class educational standards”, as hoped by management of the school. The contemporary security challenges in the institution have not only raised critical questions bordering on formulation of her internal security, but also the recruitment and effectiveness of the security agents and their statutory responsibilities.
Without meaning to sound immodest, it is high time the University management realised that there is no “security” on her campuses. What is rather obtained is the routine “gate keeping” or “vigilantism” by some old security personnel. Uniuyo is NOT safe, that is the bitter truth.
See, “security” is not all about recruiting grandpas and stationing them at main entrances, with a duty of issuing and collecting tallies; even an untrained gatekeeper can do that. Security does not end at checking boots of vehicles, neither is it shutting the school gates at midnight.
Security does not and cannot end at going round campuses to remove flexes, posters and banners on the walls of the University, even when owners of these materials had obtained permission. It is not blaring loud sirens to disturb students at night, in the name of security patrol. No, it is not.
Security does not mean impounding the wares of innocent hawkers on campus and demanding “settlement” before releasing the items. Such frivolous and inhuman act cannot be termed “security”, even my village vigilante group can do that. Sadly, these are laughable acts that that have been mistaken for “security” by the institution’s security unit.
The effects of these attacks and the quietness of the school management is not far-fetched, especially, as it is coming during examination period- when students should enjoy a serene atmosphere and peace of mind. One cannot shy away from the fact that yesterday’s robbery attack and previous ones may cause physical or psychological trauma on the students and may in the long run, affect the performance level of students in the first examination and other scholastic engagements.
For some students who had their lecture notes saved in their stolen gadgets, how would they prepare for the examinations? What is the fate of final year students who had their projects and seminar papers saved in their stolen laptops, would their project supervisors understand? This is calamity that has befallen Uniuyo students.
The big question is, if Uniuyo management claims there is security on h its campuses, how did the armed robbers gain entrance into the institution without the knowledge of the security personnel? Where were the security agents at the time of the attack and and what stopped them from responding promptly, even when the attack took place at a venue, very close to the security post.
As we await answers to the above questions, the recent attacks in Uniuyo provide cogent reasons why security should be heightened in all educational and allied institutions to prevent reoccurrence. The management of Uniuyo should formulate and effectively implement policies and programmes capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity in the institution. The Chief Security Officer of Uniuyo, Lt. Col. Efik, must use his good office and expertise as a military chief to train and arm his men with 21st century crime fighting techniques.
Suggestively, some of the security men who may not meet up with the current security demands (owing to their old age) should be retrenched after due compensation, to make way for young and agile combatants. There should be a quarterly or annual enlightenment workshop for Uniuyo security agents coupled with routine trainings by the Police on intruder alerts and emergency response.
Moreover, it baffles many, that a federal institution like Uniuyo has no single Police presence (not even at nights). This is a wakeup call. The University should immediately reorganise her intelligence system and build a more proactive security apparatus in the school.
The fight against insecurity in Uniuyo must not be left in the hands of Peace on Campus Initiative (PCI) and Man O’ War alone. There is strong need for a Mobile Police Base in the institution. If the fight against insecurity must be won, then, plans must be made for “functionalClosed-Circuit Television (CCTV) within and immediately outside the school. Yes, a mobile police Base and Security cameras will add more value in checking incessant robbery, violent crimes/crises by hoodlums in the institution.
As noted by Professor Peter Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council, Crawford University, all visitors to the school should be monitored and provided with badges; students and staff should be encouraged to report unfamiliar people to school authorities who should present themselves for search if required to do so; schools should install anonymous reporting systems such as telephone hot lines and suggestion boxes.
Safety problems should be quickly reported and appropriately addressed by school authorities; enactment of school safety policy to be adhered to by all members of the school community; periodic awareness campaign and capacity building for students, teachers and administrators to rapidly respond to safety threats; existence of a security unit that is well equipped with technology and vehicular support and linked with the public law enforcement department.
To cap it all, there is the need too, for a “collective” security arrangement. This arrangement should produce a team of trained agents (in hostels and lecture halls) with the responsibility of providing sensitive security information for security agencies. This will ultimately assist in identifying criminals, their hours of operation, sponsors and hideouts in the school.
While I commiserate with those may have been injured or lost their properties following the attack, it behoves on the students to be more vigilant and security conscious.
Conclusively, authorities and the University of Uyo should understand that without a secured learning environment, our dreams of harnessing the power of education for achieving goals in health, food, energy employment, environment, security, among a miscellany of other subsets of human security will come to nought. To overcome the current insecurity in Uniuyo, a planned approach is needed, not just to prevent physical and psychological danger to both staff and students, but to build a culture of safety consciousness.
Uwakmfon Dan
08189152129
dugarbest87@gmail.com
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