Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has directed vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across Nigeria to immediately dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related criminal offences after due investigation, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen campus security and curb rising insecurity.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, issued the directive during a meeting in Abuja with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, led by Hon. Lola Fibisola Akande.
The directive was contained in a statement released Tuesday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
Beyond expelling culpable students, Alausa instructed heads of tertiary institutions to reinforce internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to detect and prevent criminal activities on campuses.
The minister said although Nigerian universities remain largely safe, recent incidents involving students outside campus environments underscore the need for stronger surveillance and intelligence gathering.
“We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions,” Alausa said.
“Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements,” he stated.
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Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu 