Boko Haram: Kogi State varsity, ASUU disown arrested lecturer

Dr. Muhammed Nazeef Yunus Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Following the arrest of Dr. Mohammed Nazeef Yusuf, a lecturer at Kogi State University, Ayingba by the Department of State Service, DSS over alleged involvement with the Boko Haram sect, the university authority has dissociated the institution from the activities of the lecturer and the alleged plan to carry out terrorists attacks in the state.

Also, the Kogi State University Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities declared that the suspect was never an active member of the union.

ASUU Chairman in the university, Dr. Sylvester Ukwuteno said contrary to report from the other suspects that Dr Yusuf was a strong member of the organization, the suspect has never been an active member of ASUU.

According to him, “the only link between him (Dr. Nazeef Yusuf) and the association was because ASUU’s due is deducted at source from lecturers’ salaries. And he, like everyone else has his dues deducted to make him an automatic member. But he’s not a strong member as it has been widely claimed. I cannot remember the last time he attended any of our meetings”.

Also, the institution in a statement signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hassan Isah admitted that though the suspect, Dr. Mohammed Nazeef Yusuf who was recently paraded by Security agent is a lecturer in the institution the governing council and the management of the school do not know anything about him beyond his duty as a lecturer

“The Governing council and the management therefore condemned and dissociated themselves from all criminality and terrorism in whatever shape or form, where ever and whenever it exist.”

The VC noted that it became imperative to respond to the situation as the alleged involvement of the lecturer has elicited a lot of enquiries from friends, well- wishers, students, stakeholders and sister institutions.

“In view of the negative interpretation and implication for our hard-earned reputation, and the damaging impression on unsuspected members of the public, the institution dissociates itself from all criminal and criminal activities including those of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.”

He assured that security has been beefed up in the school with enough surveillance to curtail any attack from gunmen “In the meantime, the governing council and management of the institution have strengthened security and increase surveillance on campus with the view to stamp out all criminals and criminalities, including Boko Haram activities. We wish to assure the general public, particularly all our students, their parents and guardians, that the campus is safe and there is no threat whatsoever to human lives and property.

“Members of the university community are advised to go about their normal life as the university has adequate security measures to deal with all criminals and criminal activities on campus whenever and where ever they are detected”, he said.