SSS arrests ABU students holding summit on acute insecurity
The State Security Service disrupted a meeting of Ahmadu Bello University students and made mass arrests in Zaria on Wednesday, according to witnesses.
National Association of Social Sciences Students at ABU called a meeting to discuss insecurity ravaging all parts of the country. Islamic scholar Sheikh Gumi was amongst those who attended the meeting, but he was said not to have been arrested.
The SSS agents broke into the meeting and rounded up the students who organised it, a witness said. School authorities had reportedly tipped the secret police off, saying the gathering was suspicious, The Gazette heard.
Dozens of students were feared arrested by the SSS agents, who reportedly stormed the school premises with arms and ammunition. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
The summit, themed: Insecurities in Nigeria, the Causes and Youths Panacea, was scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to an invitation seen by The Gazette.
The invitation was signed by Abubakar Umar Ahmad, president of the association. Mr Ahmad could not be reached for comments on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for the SSS did not return calls seeking comments about the arrests, which has sent confusion across the school.
Nigeria has been gripped by acute insecurity since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015. His administration claimed credits for neutralising most of the key masterminds of the violence that has killed thousands of citizens.
Kaduna, home to ABU, has been in the headlines in recent weeks over mass abduction of students across the state. Governor Nasir El-Rufai back the shutting down of telecom networks that commenced across the state this week.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Education
Argentines protest budget cuts to public universities
The protestors are being joined by professors and students with their union leaders.
Sport
EPL: Everton hand Liverpool major upset in title race; Bruno Fernandes’ brace helps Man United return to winning ways
If City win the two games, they will go top of the table.
Heading 3
FRSC collaborates with judiciary for speedy trial of drivers involved in road crashes
“All drivers and vehicle owners who caused crashes on the roads would definitely face the wrath of the law.”
Africa
Tanzania shuts down five hydro stations to reduce excess power on national grid
This is the first time the country will be shutting its hydroelectric stations over excess production.
Abuja
Fuel Scarcity: Motorists lament as long queues resurface in FCT
They appealed to the federal government to resolve whatever the issues were.