By Adelowo Oladipo Minna
Students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna on Tuesday blocked the Minna–Bida Road at the Gidan Kwano campus to protest the rising wave of armed robberies targeting off-campus hostels.
The protest, which began around 9 a.m., disrupted academic and social activities and left motorists stranded. It followed another robbery attack on Monday, the third incident reported within a week. Students expressed frustration over worsening insecurity, saying they could no longer live and study under constant fear for their lives and property.
During the demonstration, students used a bus to barricade the institution’s main gate, preventing movement into and out of the campus. Reports indicated that even the Vice-Chancellor was locked out for hours before security guards eventually created a passage for him, while other senior staff, including Deputy Vice-Chancellors, were denied entry.
The students lamented losing laptops, cash, mobile phones, and other valuables to repeated attacks, accusing the university management of failing to respond adequately to their complaints.
Confirming the development, Professor Bashir Ganiyu, Dean of Student Affairs, said off-campus students no longer feel safe following the latest robbery. He assured that the university management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, would engage security agencies to strengthen protection around hostels.
Similarly, Dr. Samuel Medayese, a member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), described the recurring night attacks as alarming, noting that students had threatened to protest for days before the latest incident escalated tensions.
