A group, al-wilayat al-Islamiyya Gharb Afriqiyyah, has reportedly threatened to bomb the University of Ibadan (UI) before Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1, adding that the students and staff are their targets.

PUNCH reports that the message was circulated among some staff of the institution and on social media platforms.

The letter, which was received by some lecturers through their institutional e-mail addresses, and others through Whatsapp, read in part:

You people are an embarrassment to Nigeria and are the people that brought in western education to Nigeria. You doomed this nation and in turn you all are going to be doomed. Most of you are going to die before Independence Day. You will not spend the Independence Day in peace, you and your students.

Detonation will start going from tomorrow (Saturday) till Independence Day and there is nothing you can do as we are among you. Even your little searches at the gate won’t do anything. By the time we are through with you, your government will be sorry.

When contacted, the Director of Communication, UI, Olatunji Oladejo, dismissed the threat, saying it was the handiwork of mischievous individuals who wanted to cause commotion in the school.

“I also got it. Anyone could instigate such thing. Some people could be mischievous. Our international students are having their carnival on the campus and everywhere is peaceful. I attribute it to the handiwork of mischievous individuals and vehemently deny any commotion,” he said.

Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed that command received information concerning threat to lives and properties and adequate measures have been put in place to prevent a tragedy.

“We have received the information. The state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, working in concert with the other security agencies, has put in place all necessary security arrangement to forestall such an ugly incident.

We have deployed our intelligence officers to provide adequate security in the school. As it is, it is still a rumour but we don’t want to take things for granted and because of this, we have provided adequate security, not only for the school, but for the people of the state.

We enjoin members of the public to go about their lawful businesses and to be law-abiding,” Ajisebutu said.

PUNCH reports that security arrangements have been beefed up at the school gates with scanning devices deployed while stop and search was conducted on everyone entering the school, leading to a gridlock.