Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Itodo has expressed alarm about the institution’s significant security issues, which include kidnapping, herdsmen invasions, and widespread theft of school property, especially armored cables.
Speaking to reporters prior to the university’s 26th-31st combined convocation event, which is set for March 27–29, 2025, Itodo emphasized the increasing animosity from the host community, claiming that this has had a detrimental effect on the school.
In order to improve security, he promised that measures are being taken to resolve the problems, including building a perimeter fence.
Due to the recent kidnapping of three female students, the university was forced to close indefinitely, as the VC pointed out. He clarified that before the school could reopen, security professionals had carried out a comprehensive evaluation and found further security flaws that needed to be fixed.
Read Also: IMF to FG: Complete Cash Transfers as Nigerians Face Economic Crisis
“Among the many actions we are taking is the construction of a special Security Department building, which should be finished in a few weeks. This will guarantee the security of both employees and pupils when classes resume,” he said.
In order to keep campus peace and promote scientific research, the university is dedicated to collaborating with the Benue State Government, security forces, and the host community, the vice-chancellor underlined.
His commitment to openness and responsible resource management was also reiterated.
At the next convocation event, more than 9,000 students who were previously not eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program will graduate, including those from the university’s sandwich program.
The commissioning of important infrastructure projects, including a specialist plant health laboratory, a teaching and research farm, and the recently built security department building, will also take place.
Itodo made a plea to the federal government to build a perimeter fence around the university, emphasizing that this would protect students and faculty while simultaneously advancing research and commercial agriculture on campus.
