Rivers University Sacks 558 Students , As Lecturer , 8 Others Arrested For Kidnapping

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The Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) has said it expelled 558 students in the last academic session for poor academic performance.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Barineme Fakae, who disclosed this at the 32nd matriculation of the institution in Port Harcourt Wednesday, said the institution expelled the students at the end of the 2012/2013 academic session in its determination to ensure academic standards.

He warned that the senate of the university would not hesitate to sanction erring students as the institution has zero tolerance for examination malpractices and other social vices.

On the matriculation, Fakae disclosed 2, 955 students were admitted into the university, out of the over ten thousand candidates that applied.

Meanwhile ,a  university lecturer, (name withheld) has been arrested along with seven other suspects for kidnapping in Ekpoma, Edo State. Among them are motor mechanic, generator seller/repairer, and brick layer.

They were arrested through the combined efforts of the police and men of the State Security Service (SSS).

They are alleged to be members of a kidnap cell which recently abducted and killed a medical consultant with the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua-Edo State. The medical doctor was killed in the presence of his pregnant wife.

The motor mechanic, a next house neighbour of the murdered medical doctor, allegedly masterminded doctor’s kidnap.

The lecturer, Daily Independent gathered was arrested through the confession of the brick layer.

They have been taken to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Edo State Police Command for further interrogation.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Esan West Division, CSP Okpako Omuohowo could not be reached for comments, but a source close to his office confirmed the arrest, and described it as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping the state.

It would be recalled that staff members of the Ambrose Alli University and Irrua specialist Teaching Hospital; Nigeria Union of Teachers, Esan West Local Government Branch members, and other trade unions have severally protested kidnap of their members.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), AAU chapter, last year raised alarm over incessant kidnap of its members.