The management of the University of Abuja has honoured 44 personnel of the Safety Unit of the University for their role in the rescue of staff of the University and children who were abducted recently by bandits.
The affected staff and children were kidnapped by gunmen from the Giri Quarters in the early hours of Tuesday, November 2, 2021, who later demanded N300 million ransom before they were rescued by security agencies.
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, was said to have celebrated the staff during the weekend, a statement on Sunday by the Head, Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob said.
Na’Allah said the staff had done the University proud by working with security forces including the police, Department of State Service, military and civil defence to prevent the gunmen from abducting more staff as well as ensuring that those abducted were rescued without payment of ransom.
He said, “I am pleased to express the profound appreciation of the University management for your role in the combined effort that resulted in the rescue of our staff and their children abducted by the bandits on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 from the Staff Quarters in Giri.
“You demonstrated exceptional commitment and bravery in the discharge of your duty which led to the timely rescue of our staff and their children from the clutches of the hoodlums. But for your courage, the story of the abduction might have been different. It is in recognition of this feat that the management, today decides to honour you all. Indeed you have given the University community the hope of protection.”
According to the vice-chancellor, the University of Abuja is the only public university in the Federal Capital Territory and should be protected by the government, various stakeholders and well-meaning people.
While assuring the safety staff of continued support of the University, the Vice-Chancellor said that the Management would give them a token as a mark of its appreciation.
He especially recognised the role of the chief safety officer, Barrister Abdullahi Burga, whom he said coordinated the safety team effectively.
Na’Allah explained that even though the incident left a devastating shock on the University community, it also demonstrated the resolve, commitment and love of the world for the University of Abuja.
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