Education

Take-It-Back Movement Demands Police Arrest Of Fake NECO Official Who Sneaked Into Lagos Centre, Stole Property

Published

2 months ago

May 2, 2025

The incident occurred on Monday, April 28, 2025, and has left students, staff, and rights groups outraged over the ease with which the suspect infiltrated the learning environment and exploited it for theft.

The Lagos State chapter of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement has demanded urgent action from the Nigerian police following a troubling incident at a tutorial centre in Lagos where a man, posing as a NECO registration consultant, allegedly stole a student’s phone before vanishing.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the TIB described the act as “brazen” and “a violation of the safe learning environment every student deserves.”

“The Lagos State chapter of the Take It Back Movement strongly condemns the recent act of deception and theft that occurred at a tutorial centre on Monday, April 28, 2025,” the group said.

“This brazen incident involved an individual, presumed to be in his late 40s, who posed as a tutor and NECO registration consultant, only to exploit the trust of the staff and students for criminal purposes.”

A source at the centre, who identified himself as Master Timi, a lesson tutor, told SaharaReporters how the suspect cleverly manipulated the staff using the name of the centre’s director.

“My name is Master Timi, a lesson tutor. I am here to comment on an existing case concerning theft. A man in his late 40s came to our lesson posing as a tutor and also making enquiry of the NECO registration, which I was about to attend to him till he made mention of my director saying he had spoken to him before coming, which made me relent,” he said.

“So after the man spoke to my director, he was told that around 1pm he should return, but he said he was going to wait for my director. So with that, the man had a conversation with us using that as a method of distracting us, and after the assignment he came for, he decided to leave.”

According to Timi, just 15 minutes after the man left, a female student noticed her phone was missing.

“Exactly 15 minutes later, a student of mine realised that she couldn’t see her phone and decided to ask me. But after discovering the phone was not with me, she started crying, saying that the man took the phone. We rushed out looking for the person. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t find the person. But what we know is that the man took the phone because immediately he left, the phone was switched off,” he explained.

The TIB’s Lagos Coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, also known as Scotty Aluta, told SaharaReporters that the case had been formally reported to the Igando Police Station.

He confirmed that police officers had launched a manhunt for the suspect. “They (the police) said the people should hint them whenever they found him,” he added.

In its statement, the TIB reiterated its demand for swift justice: “Our movement stands firmly with the victims and demands immediate action from relevant authorities to investigate this act, identify the perpetrator, and ensure justice is served.”

The group further called on other tutorial centres and educational institutions across Lagos to strengthen their internal security. “We urge all educational institutions, tutorial centres, and learning hubs across Lagos and beyond to adopt enhanced security measures, including identity verification of visitors, to prevent a recurrence of such events.”

“As advocates for justice, youth development, and a secured future for all Nigerian students, we will continue to monitor this case and offer support to the affected individuals in any way necessary,” the statement concluded.

Members of the public with useful information about the suspect are urged to come forward to assist law enforcement.

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Education

Student’s killing: Niger govt orders immediate closure of IBBU

Published

7 days ago

June 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Niger State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, IBBU, Lapai, following growing security concerns in the area.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, in Minna.

Usman said the move was prompted by recent security breaches and the killing of a student near the campus, which sparked protests by fellow students demanding justice and improved safety.

“The safety of all citizens, particularly students, is a top priority for the government,” Usman said, urging the university community to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.

He added that investigations were ongoing to identify and prosecute those behind the attacks.

Usman noted that the government was taking proactive steps to restore normalcy and ensure peace and stability around the institution.

Ekwutosblog reports that the closure came two days after the killing of Abdulkareem, a 300-level student who was attacked in his off-campus residence by suspected phone snatchers.

Education

Abia panel submits report on suspended College of Education’s provost

Published

1 week ago

June 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The panel of inquiry set up by the Abia State Government to investigate the suspended provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, Professor Vincent Onwe, has submitted its report.

The chairperson of the Independent Committee, Professor Regina Ogbonna, while submitting the report to the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, stated that the team was given terms of reference and 21 days to complete its assignment and submit the report.

While thanking Governor Alex Otti for giving the members of the Panel the opportunity to serve the state, she noted that a series of physical and virtual meetings were held, and memoranda and interviews with certain individuals were conducted before the report was finalised.

Receiving the report, the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, represented by the Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechuckwu Uwanna, described the review of developments at Abia State College of Education (Technical) as a delicate task.

He pointed out that, from the moment the panel was constituted, it was clear the assignment required not only intellect but also integrity, due process, and principle to achieve its objectives.

Professor Kalu commended the committee for approaching the responsibility with sobriety, diligence, and an evident commitment to the truth, assuring them that the recommendations in the report would guide the government’s next steps.

Education

UNICAL VC contender threatens legal action over alleged unfair selection criteria

Published

1 week ago

June 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Professor Joseph Duke, a contender for the position of Vice Chancellors in the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has threatened legal action if the institution fails to review what he described as a discriminatory requirement

Duke is kicking against the criterion mandating 10 years post-professorial experience for aspirants seeking to succeed the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi.

In a letter dated June 17, 2025, addressed to the University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council with reference: Unical/VC/2025/001, Duke demanded that the university places another advertisement in reputable newspapers, indicating equitable criteria.

The letter was also copied to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Minister of Education, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, decrying the alleged violation of statutory provisions.

He alleged that the intention of the university’s management was to scheme him and other contenders out in favour of their adopted candidate.

Speaking through his lawyer, Barrister Ubong Akpan, Duke called for withdrawal of earlier advertisement for the position of Vice Chancellor which set 10 years criterion as benchmark.

Duke argued that withdrawing the advertisement will avoid possible discrimination under Section 19, Section 42(1), and Section 14(3).

According to him, the violations undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education governance and may set dangerous precedents for other federal universities if left unchecked.

He disclosed that the university’s historical benchmark was 5-9 years of professorial experience, with national norms of 5-8 years among first generation universities in the country.

“The 10-year criterion, adopted without a Senate and Council approved statute under Section 10 of the Act or a proper resolution under first schedule, paragraph 4(2)(a)(i), exceeds the Council’s authority, as evidenced by member dissent,” he stated.

The professor further accused the university of relying on unspecified federal directives which infringe on university autonomy as spelt out under section 2(a) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003.

“Similarly, I demand that the university management ensure criteria are applied equitably, avoiding discrimination under Section 19, Section 42(1), and Section 14(3).

“Publish a new advertisement in a reputable newspaper, complying with first schedule, paragraph 4 of the 1999 constitution, and NUC guidelines,” the letter added.