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At least 12 students of the University of
Bamenda, UBa, were reportedly kidnapped on
Saturday December 8 as the institution was graduating its eighth batch of students, sources have
said.
The students were picked up by the gunmen as
they were on their way to campus, and
ferried to an unidentified location where they
have been held till date.
The gunmen later released a video on Monday
December 10 showing the faces of the students
and issuing what they describe as a last warning
to any student of the University who insists on
going to school.
The gunmen said in the video they were going
to release the students but threatened any other
student “caught” by them will be “dealt with”
accordingly.
University authorities are yet to comment on
the abduction of the students but it was a tense
situation in Bambili on Saturday as gunshots
were heard around town as the graduation ceremony unfolded.
The convocation ceremony that held under the patronage of higher education minister and chancellor of academic orders, represented by NW Governor Adolf Lele L’Afrique.
The occasion pulled an estimated 5,000 attendees, who braved the security odds in the Bamibili community, for the graduation ceremony.
In her convocation speech, vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Theresia Nkuo Akenji, appreciated the commitment and selflessness of her administrative and academic staff towards the students and the institution.
She applauded what she called, resilience of the graduands, in the tough schooling atmosphere, to have gone through the academic year, while paying tributes to staff and students affected within the school year.
NW Governor, representative of the minister of higher education, called on the young professionals, remain true to virtues of national interest like patriotism, Peace, and love for duty. He warned them against the bad attitude of civil servants who abandon duty, especially in rural areas, for urban cities.
Guest speaker at the 8th Convocation was Prof. Kashim Ibrahim Talla, professor in Liberal Arts and African folklore writer, in his motivational keynote address, pointed out morality and honesty as indispensable aspects in any professional career.
The academic citadel of education, UBa, created in 2010, has fast risen to one of the best rooted state higher institution, with 12 full functional establishment.
The 8th convocation saw the graduation of the first batch of medical doctors, while graduating the first batch of students from the faculty of arts as well.
MMI
Image: Archive
