UNICAL security personnel evict lecturers from official apartments on campus

Amid the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, across the country, security personnel at the University of Calabar, UNICAL, have forcibly evicted some lecturers and other senior staff from their quarters on campus.

Many senior staff have accused the school management of abuse of power but the school has explained that the eviction was ordered by the Governing Council of the university.

One of the senior staff, who pleaded not to be named, told reporters that the security personnel broke into the Boys’ Quarters of their residences.

He spoke with some journalists in Calabar, saying the campus security personnel threw out belongings of occupants, including those away on sabbatical or official duties.

“Some of our colleagues returned to meet their doors broken and personal items thrown outside. This is not acceptable in a university environment,” he insisted.

Another senior staff, who gave his name as Dr Benard, described the eviction as high-handed and demeaning.

He explained that the Boys’ Quarters were originally designed to accommodate domestic staff and dependents of senior university employees but that a few of their family members stayed there.

But in recent times, school management had reallocated the quarters to junior staff.

Benard therefore asked, “Is the management saying our house helps should now sleep in our bedrooms because the BQs have been seized?”

Another affected senior staff said the eviction can lead to a breakdown of law and order if not properly handled.

The university management, however, defended its decision, saying the exercise followed due process and was aimed at addressing accommodation challenges for junior staff and curbing unethical practices.

Head of public relations at UNICAL, Mr. Eyo Effiong, said there were evidences that many of the quarters were reportedly rented out to students and outsiders by the senior staffers.

Some of the occupants reportedly paid N80,000 and N350,000 as rent.

Eyo disclosed that the Governing Council had directed that all staff should vacate the Boys’ Quarters.

“Council decided that staff should give up their Boys’ Quarters. Letters were issued notifying them that the BQs had been revoked, and occupants were asked to vacate on or before April 30, 2025,” Effiong explained.