Lagos-based university alerts students after bandit-like men spotted on campus

Tolulope Oke/Michael Adesina

Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos, on Tuesday night, directed students to remain indoors after some bandit-like men were spotted within the institution’s premises, prompting a large-scale security operation involving multiple security agencies.

In an emergency advisory issued late Tuesday by the university’s Student Council, the institution said it was working closely with the university administration and security authorities to ensure the safety of students while security operatives conducted a comprehensive sweep of the campus.

The advisory, addressed to all undergraduate students, acknowledged growing concerns over the presence of “unauthorized individuals” within the university.

“We are aware of the circulating concerns regarding reports of unauthorized individuals within the school premises,” the Student Council stated.

According to the council, the university had activated an extensive security response involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Navy.

“Campus authorities have been briefed and are managing the situation effectively. A comprehensive security deployment is currently active across the campus, featuring coordinated support from the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Navy,” the statement said.

As part of precautionary measures, students were instructed not to leave their hostels until the university issues an official clearance.

“Please stay within your respective hostels and avoid moving around the campus until further notice. We will issue an official ‘all-clear’ notification once the area has been secured,” the advisory added.

The university also informed students that they could hear gunfire or similar sounds during the ongoing operation, stressing that any such sounds would result from controlled security activities rather than attacks on the campus.

“You may hear sounds of activity, including controlled discharges, as security forces conduct a thorough sweep of campus green areas. These actions are part of a coordinated security operation; please remain calm and do not be alarmed,” the council said.

The institution further reassured students that the heavily armed security personnel seen across the campus had been deployed solely for their protection.

“Please be aware that the armed personnel currently visible on campus are there strictly for your protection and to ensure the restoration of a secure environment,” the statement read.

The Student Council also urged members of the university community to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the Campus Security Services department.

“Vigilance remains critical. If you observe any activity that appears unusual or suspicious, please report it immediately to the Campus Security Services department,” it said.

The council noted that university authorities were monitoring developments in real time and pledged to keep students informed through official communication channels as the situation evolves.

“The Student Council and the university administration are monitoring the situation in real time. We will provide updates through our official communication channels as new information becomes available,” the statement concluded.

The exact circumstances surrounding the reported presence of the suspected bandit-like men were not immediately clear, and the university did not disclose whether any arrests had been made or if anyone had been injured during the security operation.

PAU has yet to issue a separate public statement detailing the nature of the security threat.

However, the deployment of personnel from the police, DSS, military, and navy underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident.

Some of the students have also confirmed the incidents to PM News.