A terrorist group al-wilayat al-Islamiyya Gharb Afriqiyyah, on Friday threatened to bomb the University of Ibadan before Independence Day on October 1, The Punch reports.
The message which was circulated to staff of the institution via mail correspondence and WhatsApp caused tension in the university.
The letter read in part, “You people are an embarrassment to Nigeria and are the people that brought in western education to Nigeria. You doomed this nation and in turn you all are going to be doomed. Most of you are going to die before Independence Day. You will not spend the Independence Day in peace, you and your students.
“Detonation will start going from tomorrow till Independence Day and there is nothing you can do as we are among you. Even your little searches at the gate won’t do anything. By the time we are through with you, your government will be sorry.”
The Director of Communication of the institution, Olatunji Oladejo said the threat should not be taken seriously as it was the handiwork of mischievous individuals.
He said, “I also got it. Anyone could instigate such thing. Some people could be mischievous. Our international students are having their carnival on the campus and everywhere is peaceful. I attribute it to the handiwork of mischievous individuals and vehemently deny any commotion.”
The Oyo state Police spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed that the state command had received the information, which he termed as a “rumour”, but said it was doing all it can to ensure adequate security of the institution.
He said, “We have received the information. The state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, working in concert with the other security agencies, has put in place all necessary security arrangement to forestall such an ugly incident.
“We have deployed our intelligence officers to provide adequate security in the school. As it is, it is still a rumour but we don’t want to take things for granted and because of this, we have provided adequate security, not only for the school, but for the people of the state.
“We enjoin members of the public to go about their lawful businesses and to be law-abiding.”
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