Jigawa varsity expels 12 students over cultism, robbery, drug abuse

The Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, has expelled 12 students over offences including alleged cultism, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, phone theft and drug abuse.

The university also rusticated five students and issued warning letters to another five over various disciplinary offences.

The sanctions followed the review of the report of the 20th meeting of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Mohammad Gumel.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Abdullahi Yahya, the university said the sanctions took immediate effect.

According to the statement, the expelled students were found responsible for offences ranging from criminal conspiracy and armed robbery to phone theft, cult-related activities and drug abuse on campus.

The affected students were listed as Emmanuel Nebani Anenechukwu, Ayomide Kayode Peter, Idris Ismail, Miracle Kayode Pelumi, Yazi Yusuf Saleh, Ahmed Bashir, Mubarak Kana Usman, Divine Inuwa, Ismail Lawan Muhammad, Aisha Mahmood Yakubu, Fatima Auwal Muhammad and another student.

The university also rusticated five students over offences involving attempted sexual assault and cyberbullying.

Yahya said four of the students were suspended for two semesters, while the fifth student received a one-semester rustication.

Five other students were issued warning letters for offences including off-campus drug abuse, attempted sexual assault and cyberbullying.

They were identified as Abubakar Mukhtar, Rabia Batagarawa Ibrahim, Oladimeji Olubenga Samson, Saratu Samaila and Mubarak Ajagunna Adeshina.

The university said the disciplinary measures were part of its efforts to curb criminality and other forms of misconduct among students.

The development followed an August 13 meeting between the university management and the Jigawa State Police Command, during which FUD sought the command’s support in tackling emerging cult-related activities and other anti-social behaviour among students.

Yahya said the university maintained zero tolerance for criminality, cultism, drug abuse and harassment.

“The university has zero tolerance for criminality, cultism, drug abuse and harassment of any form,” he said.

He added that FUD remained committed to providing a safe and conducive environment for learning and character development, while urging students to abide by the rules of the institution.

The university also called on parents and guardians to counsel their children and wards against activities that could jeopardise their education.