A new dimension has been introduced into the state of insecurity in the country, as reports of bomb threats to universities and other schools were

confirmed on Monday.

At the University of Ibadan, a threat to attack the school between September 12 and 17 led to the  tightening of security in the institution with the authorities of the school declaring three days of fasting and prayers to overcome the enemy.

The authorities of the University of Ibadan confirmed to newsmen, on Monday, that groups which did not want Western education had threatened to attack institutions that spread Western education.

The situation led to a heavy traffic logjam on the University of Ibadan-Secretariat and the Oyo-Ibadan roads.

When the Nigerian Tribune visited the institution, security personnel were seen searching people’s hand-bags while motorists and their vehicles were not spared.

Speaking on the incident, the institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Elijah Bamgboye, told newsmen that it was true that a threat message was sent to the people who did not want Western education.

He said that the author(s) of the messages had threatened to descend on institutions that spread Western education.

According to him, the writers specifically mentioned University of Ibadan for attack between September 12 and 17.

He said considering experiences, the university authorities decided not to take it lightly, “so we met and decided that some measures be put in place, because we do not want to wait for them to strike.

“Checking of vehicular and human movements means that we are just being proactive. It is a rumour, but with situation in the country, we cannot say it is a rumour and if there is anything humanly we can do, we have to do it,” he said.

He regretted the impact the bomb scare would have on the institution, especially now that it was putting measures in place to become one of the best universities in the world.

The university administrator, who noted that one of the factors that determine the ranking of a university is the number of international students and staff in the institution, said that the bomb scare could affect the institution as nobody would like to be in an unsecured place.

He said that he had directed his colleagues to commence a three-day prayer and fasting for God to take total control of the situation.

He said, ”we have to pray to God to take over their heart so that they would think positively about the institution and the country.”

He said that the impact of insecurity could not be overscored, adding that the incident had been reported to security operatives in the state.

He commended the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Moses Onireti, who he said had promised to assist the institution.

The entire university community was thrown into confusion following a report that a bomb had been planted in the institution by unknown persons.

Both the institution’s security staff and men of the Nigeria Police had been drafted to check all vehicles and persons entering and going out of the institution as early as 8.00 a.m.

Meanwhile, A research group, NOI/Gall up, on  Monday, said that its researches on the incessant attack of  innocent citizens of the country by Boko Haram revealed that 44 per cent of Nigerians want the Islamic sect tackled with force while 33 per cent want dialogue.

The group, in a release made available to the Nigerian Tribune, stated that Nigerians  tilted more towards a Federal Government response as a way of containing the menace arguing that 44 per cent of respondents in its August snap polls opted for military prosecuted forceful containment.

It further disclosed that, “a majority of respondents (52 per cent) still have strong faith in the Federal Government’s ability to protect them. On the opposing side, 35 per cent do not believe that government has shown a demonstrable capacity for providing security for Nigerians.

“Of the number that won’t vouch for government’s ability, 32 per cent prefer an invitation to foreign security agencies to handle the situation. 20 per cent think if government provides the police with more training and modern equipment, they would do a better job, while 13 per cent  want the Federal Government to increase the number of police in every state.”

In another research to gauge Nigerians’ position on the minimum wage controversy, an issue which has pitted many state governments against the Federal Government for its unilateral pronouncement of N18,000  as minimum wage, a figure many state claim they can not afford; 80 per cent of the respondents gave an overwhelming assent to the Federal Government’s pronouncement.

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