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The Federal Government has directed vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions across the country to dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related criminal activities.

Minister of Education, Dr.Tunji Alausa, issued the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) in Abuja.

He also ordered heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to improve campus safety.

Alausa said the directive followed concerns over reports that some students were allegedly involved in kidnapping operations carried out outside their campuses, stressing that tertiary institutions must not become safe havens for criminal elements.

“If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. 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,” the minister said.

While noting that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses underscored the need for stronger intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with security agencies.

He disclosed that he recently met with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to develop a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative and improving the protection of learners across the country.

The minister also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that such actions only embolden criminal groups and undermine efforts to tackle insecurity.

Beyond disciplinary measures, Alausa directed governing councils and managements of tertiary institutions to establish effective internal intelligence mechanisms, maintain close ties with the DSS and other security agencies, and promptly address threats to the safety of students and staff.

He announced that the Federal Government would support security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions through the 2027 intervention programme of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), including perimeter fencing and other critical security infrastructure. Institutions were urged to submit proposals early for consideration.

The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power to improve electricity supply to tertiary institutions through additional solar generation and battery storage.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Akande, commended the Federal Government for its support to the institution but identified student accommodation, electricity supply to the university’s second campus and insecurity as major challenges.

She disclosed that some students of the university were suspected to have been involved in kidnapping activities carried out off campus, adding that the institution strongly opposed the payment of ransom, saying it would only encourage more criminality.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, also praised the minister’s reforms in the education sector and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the institution’s second campus, as well as additional office accommodation and staffing support.

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Bello Abdullahi, elder brother of the abducted Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nura Abdullahi, has died from gunshot injuries sustained during a bandit attack on the chairman’s residence.

The attack occurred on July 25 in Bungudu town, where armed bandits abducted the local government chairman and two other residents after killing four security personnel attached to him.

Bello, a former treasurer in the Zamfara State Ministry of Finance, was reportedly among residents who rushed to the chairman’s residence to assist during the attack when he was shot.

His death was confirmed on Monday by Jamilu Bungudu, a media aide to Abdulmalik Zubairu, who represents the Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency.

With Bello’s death, the number of people killed in connection with the attack has risen to five.

The local government chairman, Nura Abdullahi, and the two other abducted residents remain in captivity as of the time of filing this report.

The kidnapped victims were identified as Halliru Soja, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, and Hussaini Naira, a Point-of-Sale operator.

The four security personnel killed during the attack were identified as Inspector Basiru Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Muhammad and two vigilantes, Nura ADC and Ibrahim Baare.

Bungudu Local Government Area, located about 21 kilometres from Gusau, has experienced repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years.

In April, gunmen reportedly riding more than 50 motorcycles attacked Yarkatsinan Laka village, killing two police officers, two health workers and a patient after raiding a security outpost and a clinic.

Other rural communities in the area, including Karakkai and Gwargwabe, have also suffered repeated attacks, with homes reportedly destroyed, residents killed and food storage facilities destroyed.

The continued violence has further worsened the humanitarian situation in communities across the local government area.

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The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has denied reports claiming that the Sultan, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the media team described the reports circulating on some social media platforms as false, misleading and inconsistent with the Sultan’s longstanding non-partisan role.

According to the statement, it is impossible for the Sultan to publicly endorse any political candidate because of his position as a father figure to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation.

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read.

The media team urged Nigerians to disregard what it called a malicious attempt to drag the revered traditional and religious leader into partisan politics for selfish interests.

It stressed that the Sultan’s role as both a monarch and religious leader requires him to remain impartial while offering guidance, prayers and fatherly counsel to all Nigerians, including politicians who seek his blessings.

The statement noted that the Sultan’s palace remains open to everyone without discrimination, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic background.

It further warned against linking the Sultan to the political ambitions or campaigns of any individual ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that such claims should be rejected.

Reaffirming the Sultan’s commitment to national unity, the media team said he remains dedicated to promoting peace, stability and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians.

The statement also called on journalists and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing reports capable of misleading the public or dragging traditional and religious institutions into political controversies.