Students of KNUST panic as graduate joins IS

Some students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) say they’ve been shocked by reports that a former student of the school has joined terrorist group, Islamic State (IS).
The students who spoke to Luv FM’s John Teye said they were stunned when they heard that the quiet and calm former student had joined the jihadist group.
According to them, his demeanour never showed him as someone with the slightest inclination to violence.
Their biggest fear is that there could be a secret camp of the terrorist group on the campus that admits and recruits students.
Vice President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Opoku Agrepah described the news as shocking, adding that it has given students shivers.
Nazir Nortei Alema is reported to have sent a message to his family informing them about his decision to join IS after completing a one-year National Service with the Ghana Statistical Service.
The message sent by Nazir to his parents is said to be on the same template that the terrorist group uses for all recruits across the world.
Chief Editor at the Daily Guide Newspaper, Alhaji Gomda, who broke the story of Nazir’s recruitment, said the Alema family was devastated after receiving the message.
He told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host Kojo Yankson that Latif Alema, father of the boy, with another son, Kabiru Alema, decided to go into Nazir’s laptop and were shocked by what they found.
Nazir had been watching IS propaganda material in which children are undergoing military training and recruits are taught how to tie the Muslim veil.
Security Expert, Prosper Nii Addo says although the situation is worrying, Ghana is not the only West African Country from where the terrorist group is recruiting new members.
“ISIS wants an Islamic State and its wants to cause destruction and havoc and so it looks for volunteers, people who are ready to follow its cause”.
The focus may be on African countries because the group seeks individuals who are very intelligent, mostly young graduates or middle-aged people who share in their belief – the extremist Islamic trait which intends to punish evil – and are willing to act ruthlessly.
He advised parents to be vigilant and get interested in what their children do, no matter how busy they are.
He said government must be on the lookout and ensure that there is adequate protection at public places and the country’s entry points.
Meanwhile, as investigations continue into this case, some reports point to a house at Labadi Palm Wine, a suburb of Accra as the venue where the group holds meetings.
Joy News’ Michaela Anderson visited the community and reports that residents are living in fear.
She was, however, unable to identify the specific house.
Source – Joyfm