Minister orders expulsion of university students involved in kidnapping activities

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa has directed Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of tertiary institutions across Nigeria to dismiss any student found guilty, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related criminal activities.

The minister also instructed heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen intelligence gathering on campuses and work more closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to improve student safety.

Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the Federal University of Lafia in Abuja, Alausa said recent incidents involving students outside campuses highlight the need for stronger security measures.

"We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions." He warned that students found to have participated in kidnapping should no longer remain in tertiary institutions.

"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." Alausa also reiterated the Federal Government's position against negotiating with kidnappers or paying ransom, saying such actions could encourage more criminal activities.

The minister disclosed that the government plans to support campus security projects, including perimeter fencing, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2027 intervention programme. He added that efforts are also underway to expand the Energising Education Programme by increasing solar power generation and battery storage.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Lola Fibisola Akande, revealed that some students of the institution were suspected of involvement in off-campus kidnapping activities. She also identified inadequate hostel accommodation, electricity supply and insecurity as major challenges facing the university.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida commended the minister's education reforms and appealed for the extension of the Energising Education Programme to the university's second campus