DSS URGES ASUU TO END ITS STRIKE

The Department of State Services appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Thursday to end the ongoing strike.

Mr Yunusa Abdulkadir, the Director of the Service in charge of Yobe, made the plea in Damaturu at the Third Quarterly Conference of the State Directors of Security in the North-East Zone.

He stated that the strike, which effectively halted university education in the country, had security implications.

"In as much as we know that ASUU is pursuing a genuine cause, they should take a deeper look at the peculiarities of North-East region that has stayed for over a decade in the hands of insurgents," Yunusa said.

In addition, the director advocated for the establishment of a psychiatric hospital in Yobe to combat post-traumatic disorder caused by insurgency.

He stated that failure to do so could result in a large number of trauma victims, who could pose a security threat to the state in addition to the insurgents.

Mr Hassan Abdullahi, Chairman of the Occasion, stated in his remarks that the conference would analyze security threats, share experiences, and discuss a way forward.

Abdullahi, who is also the DSS Director for Bauchi State, listed insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling as security challenges in the zone.

He praised the state government's unwavering support and cooperation with the DSS and other security agencies.

Alhaji Idi Gubana, the state deputy governor, described the conference as timely in light of the country's current security challenges.

Despite successes in the fight against insurgency, he said more work was needed to ensure total annihilation of terrorist remnants in the state and region.

Gubana assured that Gov. Mai Mala Buni's administration would always support the goals and objectives of all state security agencies.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the event included the presentation of awards to the Emirs of Fika and Damaturu, Muhammad Ibn Abali and Alhaji Shehu Hashimi, for their critical roles in the war against insurgency, respectively.