By Shero Abbas
For many students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), returning to campus after the semester break has become more than a matter of academic preparation—it has become a question of safety.
Across different parts of Nigeria, worsening insecurity continues to disrupt transportation, restrict movement, and create fear among students who must travel hundreds of kilometres to resume their studies. While universities expect students to return to campus after holidays and breaks, many remain stranded at home as banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks make interstate travel increasingly dangerous.
For Umar Abdulmajeed, a 200-level Local Government Studies student, plans to return to Sokoto were disrupted following a bandit attack in Ilesha-Baruba, Kwara State, where gunmen reportedly killed an Islamic cleric. He had already begun preparations to resume before the security situation deteriorated.
“I was preparing to resume before June, but what happened in my hometown changed everything. My parents advised me to stay at home until the issue was resolved because reports indicated that armed bandits were operating along major roads. So, I decided to remain at home even while lectures were progressing steadily,” Abdulmajeed told Pen Press UDUS.
Transportation Challenges and Rising Costs
Following the attack, movement within the area was restricted as security agencies intensified efforts to restore order. According to Abdulmajeed, transportation services were severely affected, leaving many students unable to travel.
“Drivers were not available to transport us, and even when the situation improved slightly, transport fares increased significantly because of the risks involved,” he explained.
His experience reflects a growing challenge facing students across northern Nigeria, where insecurity has transformed ordinary journeys into risky undertakings.
Findings by Pen Press UDUS reveal that, in recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in bandit attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and armed robberies along major highways. Travellers moving between states often face uncertainty, while transport operators increasingly factor security risks into transportation costs.
Adamu Hashimi, a 200-level Applied Industrial Chemistry student, said insecurity played a direct role in delaying his return to school.
“Transportation difficulties, high travel costs, and financial challenges delayed my resumption. Security concerns on major roads made travelling risky and contributed to my late return,” he said.
According to him, transport operators have adjusted fares upward due to longer routes, increased checkpoints, and concerns over attacks on highways.
“Many drivers increased fares because of the security risks and the need to avoid dangerous routes. I intended to resume earlier, but the security situation affected my plans,” he added.
Parents Advise Caution
Parents are increasingly discouraging their children from travelling during periods of heightened insecurity, choosing caution over early resumption. As a result, many students are forced to postpone their return to campus even when academic activities are ongoing.
For Abdulrasaq Mubarak, a 100-level Economics student, the journey from Ilorin to Sokoto represents more than a long-distance trip.
“Bandit attacks along the Niger State and Kebbi axis are becoming more frequent. Even here in Kwara, there have been cases of students being kidnapped. Because of the situation, my father advised me to remain at home until things improve,” Mubarak explained.
His fears are shared by countless students across the country who constantly monitor security developments before deciding whether to embark on interstate journeys.
Psychological and Academic Impact
The consequences of insecurity extend beyond delayed resumption. They also affect students’ mental well-being. Constant exposure to reports of kidnappings, attacks, and highway violence creates anxiety among young people who should be focused on their education.
For Usman Aliyu, a 300-level Geography student from Kogi State, insecurity has significantly increased both the cost and risk of travel.
“The transportation fare from Kogi to Sokoto used to be about N25,000, but now it has increased to nearly N40,000. Despite the higher cost, the roads are still not safe,” he said.
Aliyu had hoped to return to school shortly after the Eid celebrations, but worsening security conditions forced him to reconsider his plans.
“The insecurity has become more serious in many parts of Kogi State. If I decide to travel by road, I have to think about my safety first. For now, I am waiting for the situation to improve,” he explained.
For students studying far from home, the ability to resume school now depends not only on academic calendars and financial resources but also on the security situation along the roads connecting their communities to campus.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with banditry, kidnappings, and other security threats, students are among the many citizens whose daily lives have been disrupted. For them, the journey back to school is no longer a routine return to campus but a difficult calculation involving safety, cost, and survival.