Bandits: University VC Blames FG on School Attacks

The federal government has been tackled by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, on encouraging bandits and kidnappers to attack the schools by paying ransom to them.

The VC noted that the government while openly declaring that it doesn’t negotiate with criminals, has always been using back channels to meet with the bandits to negotiate the release of kidnapped school children.

Kyari, therefore, submitted that as long as this cycle continues, the bandits will continue to attack the schools and hold out for government ransom.

He made the submission in his convocation lecture titled, ‘Dialogue with the deaf: Education and insurgency’, at the fifth-thirteenth convocation of the Adamawa State University, Mubi.

Speaking further he asserted that the viable and sustainable solution is for insurgency to be totally destroyed in the country particularly in the northeast which happens to be their stronghold.

He said, “The government of Nigeria has been dialoguing with Boko Haram. No matter what claims the country is making, it cannot deny not talking to the insurgents through back channels. This is what has led to the release of some of the Chibok and Dapchi, girls.

“One of the reasons why Boko Haram and bandits have continued to attack schools is because of payment of ransoms. A lot of money has been exchanging hands, with Boko Haram, terrorists at the receiving end.

“Unfortunately, anytime there’s abduction, something happens, even though the government says it has a policy not to negotiate with terrorists.”