Bomb threat handiwork of mischievous elements —UI

AUTHORITIES of the University of Ibadan (UI) have described the alleged threat by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect to bomb the institution as mere handiwork of mischievous elements.

A letter purportedly originating from the sect had surfaced on social media on Friday threatening that bombs would be detonated on the university’s campus as a punishment for it being the first university that brought in and entrenched western education in Nigeria.

Naturally, it created panic and set in motion frantic security measures, including the state police command immediately dispatching a bomb disposal squad to the campus, to forestall it.

But speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on telephone on Sunday, the university’s Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, said no one in the university received any threat from any group, and that the so-called threat only existed and circulated on the internet.

The Oyo State command of the Nigeria Police, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, had also dismissed the threat as mere rumour by people who wanted to create “unnecessary tension.”

Oladejo said on Sunday: “Everywhere is calm; everything is peaceful. That Friday was the day our international students kick-started their International Students Week, and they started with a Jumat service.

“Thereafter, they had a carnival procession. Today (Sunday), they were in the church; yesterday they had a football match. They enjoyed themselves; and these are international students from about 38 countries.”

Oladejo was pained that such mischievous rumour was being peddled at a time the university had just been listed as one of the most distinguished universities in the world.

“And for you to be listed, definitely, your environment must be secure and conducive for teaching, community development and knowledge transfer. Our environment is secure. Everyone is applauding what we have in place in terms of security.”