FUT Minna Students Protest Rising Insecurity, Disrupt Academic Activities

Students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, shut down academic activities and temporarily blocked the Vice-Chancellor from entering campus while protesting repeated robbery attacks, killings, and worsening insecurity affecting students living off campus.

Students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna), staged a protest over worsening insecurity around the institution, accusing authorities of failing to protect them from repeated robbery attacks and violent crimes affecting students living off campus.

The demonstration disrupted normal academic activities as students blocked the university’s main entrance after initially obstructing the Minna–Bida Road. The protest also delayed the Vice-Chancellor’s entry into the campus, with students refusing to allow him access despite attempts to calm the situation. University security personnel later created a passage that enabled the Vice-Chancellor to enter after several hours.

The protest also affected scheduled computer aptitude tests for 100-level and 300-level students, forcing the examinations to be suspended.

One protesting student, who requested anonymity, said the demonstration was triggered by a series of violent incidents in recent days. According to the student, one undergraduate was killed during a robbery attack three days earlier, while several others sustained injuries in another robbery the previous night. The student added that repeated complaints to the university management had produced little action, leaving many students feeling unsafe.

The student further explained that armed robbers had repeatedly targeted students, stealing valuable belongings such as laptops, mobile phones, and other personal items. He said many students now fear for their safety because the attacks have become increasingly frequent.

A university staff member, who also spoke anonymously, said students were particularly frustrated because they pay a ₦10,000 security levy every academic session. The staff member argued that the university had not done enough to address security concerns affecting students residing outside the campus.

Responding to the protest, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Bashir Ganiyu, said the university administration had already engaged security agencies to tackle the situation. He explained that the police are responsible for maintaining security outside the campus and that vigilante groups had also been mobilised to support law enforcement.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police is aware of the security challenges, and discussions are ongoing to strengthen protection for students living off campus.

The protest comes amid growing concerns about insecurity affecting schools across Nigeria. In several states, educational institutions have suspended academic activities following threats of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and other security challenges. Similar concerns have also led to school closures in parts of Oyo and Edo states.

The incident also follows recent attacks in Niger State, where armed terrorists reportedly killed dozens of residents and abducted several villagers, including schoolchildren. Some of the abducted pupils were later released after negotiations, while security agencies continued rescue operations and investigations.

Students are now calling on the university management and security authorities to implement lasting measures that will guarantee their safety both on and off campus.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT