By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman on Saturday said that the Polytechnic has tamed the monster of insecurity in the institution by recalibrating and fortifying its security architecture as part of the task of Repairing, Reforming, Repositioning and restore of academic excellence.
Dr Usman disclosed this in his speech at the 4th Combined Convocation ceremony of the Polytechnic on Saturday in Lokoja.
He said that the new security architecture impetus was part of the task of Repairing, Reforming, Repositioning the Polytechnic for academic excellence and had succeeded in frustrating cultism and other forms illegal and criminal activities on its campuses.
The Rector attributed the feat to the institution’s synergy with security agencies to prevent crimes and criminalities in the institution.
He said “We set machinery in motion for tackling insecurity through the fortification of security architecture with effective intelligence gathering on the activities of cultists and other criminal groups.”
Dr Usman said that to further strengthen the security structure, the institution installed hidden CCTV cameras on the campus to monitor unholy activities and acts decisively adding that it also provided communication gadgets for security personnel for effective communication.
The Polytechnic, he added, constructed a befitting security building code-named “Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello Security House” at the entrance of the Polytechnic to replace the 3-room cubicle inherited, to promote efficiency amongst the security personnel;
He noted that provision of security patrol vehicles for surveillance and monitoring as well as aggressive campus illumination by provision of solar lights and other illuminating gadgets were part of the measures.
Dr Ogbo Usman said that the Polytechnic also embarked on continuous clearing of bushes on the campuses and dislodgement of the notorious “Pipeline” which was hitherto the meeting point of cultists and replacement of same with barricades.
The Rector added that Decentralisation of Security Structures was also introduced to enhance proper supervision of operatives for effective discharge of duties and efficiency.
He said that the management also sustained the ban on Students Tribal Associations to ensure harmony and banned “End of Session Celebrations” which was hitherto the means by which cult groups engaged in bloody confrontations, often resulting in fatalities amongst other measures.
The security efforts and strategies, he said, also helped to discover the notorious syndicate known as “Magic Centre” at Sarkin Norma where students were nabbed while writing examination with our question papers and booklets.
The Associate Prof. Ogbo Usman hinted that the these efforts which were in synergy with security agencies yielded tremendous results, including the arrests and prosecution of some students and none students with guns and other dangerous weapons and illicit drugs while making attempts to enter the campus. (Ends)