No Criminal Hideouts Around Maduka Varsity, Management Clarifies

The authorities of Maduka University, Enugu State, have stated that there are no settlements of bandits around the vicinity of the university.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the university’s spokesman, Mr Chidi Ajah, on Sunday. This followed a viral video clip circulating on social media claiming the bandits set up about 38 camps near the university.

In the video, a voice could be heard alleging that Fulani bandits were negotiating ransoms for the release of their kidnapped victims around the university.

Aja stated that, “These claims are completely false and a continued attempt in the last three years by detractors to spark fear among potential students, parents, and the community.

“The video in question inaccurately suggests that criminal elements operate in the immediate vicinity of the university campus. The university is safe and secure for staff and students. The campus remains fully protected by appropriate security measures, and there is no basis for the fear being spread.”

Aja pledged that the university authorities would continue to liaise with security agencies to ensure staff and students’ safety, and called on members of the public to “remain calm, ignore baseless rumours, and report verified information through official channels.”

Investigations by our correspondent showed that Maduka University runs an exclusive security system comprising the military, police and private guards with full ICT surveillance.

On the death of a nursing student of the university, the statement clarified that the student arrived at the medical centre “in an unhealthy condition via the hospital ambulance”.

Quoting the statement, “Upon arrival around 9:30pm, the doctor on duty evaluated the student, carried out necessary investigations, administered appropriate medication, and made a working diagnosis.”

The management explained that the student initially responded well and was placed under continuous monitoring with full nursing attention, adding however that “her condition suddenly deteriorated around 4:00 am.”

It said the nurses promptly alerted the doctor, and the student was quickly transferred in the university’s 24-hour ambulance to another hospital for expanded emergency management.

The management said the student had a concealed chronic medical condition, which was not disclosed prior to the emergency and significantly contributed to the ensuing complications.

“This underlying condition significantly contributed to the complications that followed,” Aja stated.

The spokesperson said the university management and the hospital authorities share in the pain of the family, but condemned the “attempt to paint the hospital and its medical team in a bad light”.

“The circulating reports suggesting negligence, wrong medication, or abandonment are false and do not represent the professional actions our medical team took,” he said.

THE WHISTLER reports that the university is founded by business mogul and philanthropist Dr Samuel Maduka Onyishi, Chairman, Peace Group of Companies. The university is located at Ekwegbe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area.