The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Prof. Ezekiel O. Agbalagba, has issued a strong warning to both staff and students, cautioning against any planned protests within the institution over alleged injustices. He described such moves as threats to peace and academic stability.
This warning was contained in an internal memo dated July 21, which was personally signed by the Vice Chancellor and copied to key authorities, including the Governor of Delta State, the State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government.
Titled “Security Alert,” the memo, which was obtained by Chronicles Reporters on Tuesday, stated that the university had received reliable intelligence suggesting that some individuals or groups were planning to disrupt normal academic activities by blocking access and creating chaos, which could lead to potential harm to lives and property.
Prof. Agbalagba emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the institution remains peaceful and conducive for academic activities.
“This is to inform the entire university community that management has received credible security reports indicating that certain persons or groups are preparing to obstruct operations, spark disorder, and possibly endanger lives and properties within the University,” the VC stated.
He further stressed that the university would deal decisively with anyone found to be involved in actions aimed at destabilizing the academic environment or undermining recent gains in university stability, which he credited to the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The University Management will not condone any move that threatens the peaceful learning atmosphere or derails the progress made by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar across Nigerian universities,” Agbalagba wrote.
The Vice Chancellor reminded the university community that FUPRE is a federally recognised institution governed by existing laws, including its establishing Act, statutes, and operational guidelines.
He warned: “Any student or staff member who engages in or supports any act capable of disturbing the peace of this institution will face stiff penalties. Management will fully enforce the rules and regulations, and any breach will attract the maximum consequences permitted by law.”
Chronicles Reporters gathered that some staff members had begun making arrangements to protest what they described as persistent injustices within the university. However, at the time of this report, the specific nature of their complaints had not been officially disclosed.
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