The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. Francesca Bassey, has blamed alleged land encroachers for the growing security challenges confronting the institution.

Bassey made the allegation weekend when she led the university management team to the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, HRM Hogan Itam, to seek intervention over continued encroachment on university property.

Presenting documents to support the university’s ownership claims and compensation records, the Vice-Chancellor expressed concern that illegal occupation of university land was fuelling criminal activities within and around the campus.

She alleged that residents in the encroached areas were linked to incidents of theft, attempted rape of students and the sale of illicit drugs on campus.

According to her, the institution had suffered losses exceeding N300 million from the theft of cables, sliding windows and other equipment from the Faculties of Engineering, Education and Physical Sciences, the University Staff School, the new auditorium and other facilities.

Bassey said the situation had become a major setback to the university’s development efforts and the safety of students and staff.

She further alleged that university security personnel were recently attacked while attempting to stop an individual from laying a building foundation on land belonging to the institution.

According to her, the officers were chased away by persons from the encroaching community, disrupting efforts to prevent the illegal occupation and development of university property.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the persistent encroachment had hindered the university’s ability to utilise land acquired for educational purposes and slowed the execution of critical infrastructure projects.

Responding, the Efut traditional leadership condemned the alleged encroachment and associated criminal activities, including theft, vandalism and attacks on security personnel.

The royal fathers reaffirmed their support for UNICROSS, acknowledging its contributions to education, economic growth and community development, and pledged to work with the university to ensure peace, law and order are maintained.