… as CSO calls begging ‘terrorism’
Kehinde Ogunyale & Michael Babatunde
Press Club MAPOLY has uncovered a silent ‘ongoing’ trend by the security unit of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, as it was discovered that some of the security men allegedly stop students to beg for money.
The security men who are positioned at different stations on the campus, would call any student who passes in front of their station and request that the student should give them money to eat, _owo onje_, as it is called.
It was further learnt that in the process of begging, the security men would say some prayers for success of the student on campus.
The security unit of the institution is solely charged with the responsibility of protecting the institution and its people. This cut across all staffs and students ; cubing indecency and illegal acts and activities.
PCM assert that this act of begging by the security men is against the norms and standards of the institution.
PCM checks showed that the amount usually requested and given ranges from N50 to N200.
In a cross interview with students, one of the respondents said he had been stopped by the security about two times to give them N50, claiming that they (security men) have not eaten since morning.
He also claimed the security man promised to always be at his aid whenever he has security issues on and off campus.
Another student added that some of the security men at their station (withheld) allegedly threaten students making them forcefully give the money.
He noted that this is very rear, because it is not the first time such request had been asked from him.
Another student who prayed anonymity disclosed that he had been approached three times by security men.
"When I came into the school last year for my statement of result, I was met by a security detail in the school, he pleaded that I give him whatever I can afford; I had to give him out of pity.
" When we resumed this year another security man came to me and begged for #200. He said he won’t take cigarette or alcohol with the money but he just needs money to eat. I was not having change on me but he helped find change after which I gave him what I could afford.
"This is like the third time I will be experiencing this."
PCM observed that this act is unconnected with the salaries owed staff by the state government following the MAPOLY-MAUSTECH hullabaloo.
However the polytechnic Chief Security Officer, Adekunle Adekoya, in an interview, has compared the act of begging to terrorism saying that such acts is not encourage within the school premises.
He said, "If anybody begs for money don’t give them. They did not work for you, so they do not deserve to be paid by you. Whenever they ask, tell them you don’t have; that is the easiest way to answer them, not I don’t have change.. If after this, they accused the student of being disrespectful and they ask you to follow them down to the office, please do- I am very sure the security man won’t want to come down here. What would he tender to be your offense? Any body ask you for money, don’t give. That is terrorising. When someone forcefully ask you for money, we call it terrorising. Any affected students should always report at all times.
"When you report, we go to the extent of hanging such student around the accused person’s neck, while he sign an undertaking that anything that happens to such student, he would be held responsible. We don’t encourage such acts of begging in the school."
