By Vincent Ujumadu

AWKA—THE leadership tussle at the Tansian University, Oba, Anambra State, has taken a new dimension as unknown persons drafted about 15 stern-looking mobile policemen to the institution, who blocked the gates and scared workers and visitors.

Varsity moves to stop NUC

The development came on the heels of the authorities of the institution heading to the court to stop the National Universities Commission, NUC, from acting on alleged information provided by the opposing group which claimed that it had reconstituted the governing council and sacked the vice chancellor.

Addressing newsmen at the senate chambers of the university, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nduka Uriah, said the policemen claimed that they acted based on a letter written to Anambra State commissioner of police, adding that after consultations, the police commissioner withdrew his men from the premises of the university.

“I had appointment outside the university and when I came back, I saw about 10 to 15 mobile policemen on campus. On inquiry, I was informed that they were there to protect the university.

“We never invited the police, but we were informed that the university wrote Abuja and that Abuja directed Awka that policemen should be posted to the university.

“As the vice chancellor, I never wrote any letter and when I enquired from the Registrar, he said he too did not write any letter. So, we got in touch with the commissioner of police who said that someone somewhere must have provided a wrong information.

CP asks men to vacate campus

“When the CP got the right information, he ordered his men to withdraw and that is the situation. There is peace in the university. This university has a tradition of excellence and we are providing a conducive environment for studies, research and teaching,” the VC said.

Vanguard, however, gathered that a group, led by a member of the governing council and co-founder of the university, Chief Romanus Ezeonwuka, had planned to effect changes in the council and management in line with what was said to be part of the recommendations of a peace committee set up in 2009 to reconcile the two groups.