– The Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), has made a bold move
– Abubakar Njodi has said the university will not close down despite the bombing
– The Vice Chancellor says closing down the university is tantamount to running away
Prof Aliyu Mani was killed in the UNIMAID bombing
Abubakar Njodi, the Vice Chancellor of UNIMAID has revealed to the surprise of many that the university will not be shut down despite the bombing that took place on Monday, January 16.
The bombing by suspected Boko Haram members claimed the lives of Professor Aliyu Mani and four others in the early hours of Monday.
Major general Lucky Irabor, the theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole of the Nigerian army paid the school a condolence visit after the bombing, and Mr Njodi was on hand to receive him.
READ ALSO: 3 facts about the professor that was killed in Maiduguri bombing
According to Premium Times, Njodi said: “I can convince the senate, the management and the university community to close the school to save lives.
“But if we do that, we are not helping because we have to give the security our maximum support and our support is not to join them in the battle field.
“If we run away, that means there is nobody they should be fighting for. We should stay and resolve it, after all the war is about us, western education. If we stay, the terrorists will be frustrated because that is their aim.
“What is the point of fighting for us if we run? We should stand our ground so that the military will be proud that the people they are fighting for are on ground.
“Therefore, our decision is not to close the university. We want to
“We suspended the exams for today because we want the military to come and access what happened.”
However, the university don appealed to the military to increase security in and around the school and its environs to prevent a repeat of such an occurrence.
The military commander on his own part said he had come to extend his sympathies to the UNIMAID community for their loss.
READ ALSO: Saraki calls for more security at educational institutions
The major general said: “As we have already said and will continue to say that there is frustration in the Boko Haram camp.
“They have tried severally to bring sorrows and pain to the university and the rest of the communities and have failed.
“We, therefore, enjoin you not to be deterred. This is a clear sign that the end of Boko Haram has come.
“The people should, therefore, continue with their normal life to let the Boko Haram know they have failed.
“We should let them know that the extent of their stupidity and callousness do not have any impact on us anymore.”
Meanwhile, in the heat of the confusion and while people scampered, the second bomber detonated his own bomb at the Gate 5 end of the university.
17 injured victims have been evacuated to a hospital so far.
360naze
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