Sakariyah Sodiq Abubaqri
Spontaneous curfew enforcement has, like every other person, gotten students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), stocked in their various states. Having no hope of traveling back to the seat of the caliphate, Sokoto, while academic activities are going on.
The ongoing nationwide protest in Nigeria has worsened the situation in some states, which has led to an emergent imposition of curfews thereby putting a halt to some day-to-day activities therein.
The ten-day planned nationwide protest that commenced on August 1st, 2024, received many citizens across the federation to demand government resolution to the current economic hardship. However, reports have it that the demonstration has derailed from its predetermined objectives in some states like Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Yobe, and others, as protesters are now engaging in riots, looting, burgling, and vandalization of both public and private properties. This unimaginable development has deteriorated the country’s economy even more, bringing a temporary stoppage to businesses, work, and other activities, including inter-state movement in the affected places.
Students living in the aforementioned states were left to stay home while lectures and other academic activities resumed at UDUS. Initially, after their previous semester’s examinations, first-semester, the students left campus to their respective places to spend the semester’s break with their families and loved ones, and upon returning to school got entrapped in the untold lockdown.
Victims Expressed Discomforts
While speaking with the Harbinger, some of the affected students exhibit discontentment over their present situations and eagerness to make use of even the slightest chance to travel back to Sokoto and continue their endeavor.
“I will be traveling back to campus immediately when the curfew is lifted here in Kaduna,” said Laurat Muhammad, a 500-level student of ICT. Adding that the curfew has not only impeded her from resuming school but also has made her miss classes and other things most of which cannot be amended.
Also, Moses Zamani, another victim of the sit-at-home order in Kaduna, held a similar view to Laurat, adding that he is worried because this is his final semester in school, and he is still at home while lectures have started in his department.
Unfortunately, like Laurat and Zamani, Ezekiel Teyei had to resume when she was caught by the curfew in Plateau. Ezekiel, a 400-level student of Primary Education, also lamented her concerns about the ongoing activities in school and capitalized on her anxiety over missing attendance, assignments, and perhaps tests.
“This is the third-week academic activities have commenced in UDUS, and I haven’t been on campus,” Abdullahi Ibrahim, another student stuck in Kano curfew, lamented.
In his words, Ibrahim said he can’t wait to resume school after the curfew relaxes. “I hope the government lifts the sit-at-home order sooner and before I miss many things in school. Some lecturers conduct tests earlier than one could ever think.”
“We Won’t Be Able To Transport Students” KADSSU President
The President of the Kaduna State Student Union, UDUS chapter, Ibrahim Jibrin, said in an interview that their association had not begun conveying students with their transport scheme to campuses before the unexpected curfew arose in Kaduna.
He further explained that even after the curfew is lifted they (KADSSU) won’t be able to organize transport for their students as almost all of the association executives who will take up the task have already been on campus.
He pleaded with the stocked students to bear with them and enjoined them to wait patiently till normalcy is restored and movement is permitted before embarking on a journey. “I will advise our fellow students to be calm until the situation in the country is under control before embarking on their journey back to campus.” He implored.
