The Management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has denied media reports that it has rusticated 37 students for one year, 2024/2025 academic session, over alleged creation of a WhatsApp group to carry out protest.
In a statement, the Acting Information and Protocol Officer of the university, Jaafar Abubakar, described the reports as false and misleading.
According to the university, “These reports falsely claim that the University has rusticated 37 students for one academic session due to alleged involvement in “criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, and cyber-stalking.
“We are dismayed and disappointed that these media outlets and bloggers did not bother to carry out the simplest form of due diligence before publishing their spurious and sensationalized stories.
“This lack of professionalism and integrity is alarming and has caused unnecessary panic and harm to the reputation of the University and its students.”
The university stated categorically that no student has been rusticated officially from the University.
It however acknowledged that “the committee constituted to investigate the alleged infractions committed by these 37 students has not submitted its report to management for further action.
“Therefore, any claims of rustication are preemptive, diversionary, and utterly false.”
The statement assured all students of the university that it’s management, under the leadership of Prof Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, remains committed to upholding the fundamental rights of students to freedom of speech and association.
It however noted that the institution will not tolerate any action that threatens its peace, security, and stability.
The university appealed to students who have been invited by the Committee to cooperate fully and await the final outcome of the report, which promises to be fair and firm.
“We also urge our professional colleagues in the media to exercise restraint and do due diligence on reports before going to press.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Nasarawa State University, Keffi, remains a beacon of academic excellence, integrity, and responsible citizenship,” the university stated.
