Angry students and employees of Cross Rivers University of Technology, CRUTECH, took to the streets to protest about the lack of on-campus security following encroachment into the school by members of the Efut community in the Calabar area of the state.
The university workers, represented by the Association of Resident of Staff Quarters, CRUTECH, Calabar campus, made their anger known in a letter delivered to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh.
The furious employees, accompanies by students living in university accommodation, said they had become regular victims of robbery attacks.
Different placards were displayed by the workers with inscriptions such as, ‘No future for development in CRUTECH,’ ‘Our gates must no longer be used as an access to any community,’ and ‘CRUTECH in the midst of illegal community,’ among others.
Dr. Samuel who serves as the Chairman of the association, said it was disgraceful that a major portion of university land had been sold by Efut community leaders and developed by people not known to the university.
“You are aware that for some time, the main campus has become a point of constant raids by robbers,” he said.
“Frustrated staff, residents on the main campus took their fate in their hands by sourcing for alternative security arrangements which led to formation of vigilance groups with materials bought by residents.
Dr Samuel (first name not given) described the sale of CRUTECH land as a serious security threat to the campus as the land was bought by people of dubious moral character.
“Our current neighbours have access to their houses through the main gate and litter the quarters at night with their cars.
“We are left with no other option but to embark on this peaceful demonstration to create a platform that will draw the attention of the government to the continued encroachment of the university land reserved for future developmental purposes.”
