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…. Let Lecturers Breath- ASSU President
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Tension gripped Nasasrawa State University, NSUK, as lecturers and students took to the streets to protest the alarming increase in kidnappings.
The National President of the Association of University Staff Union (ASSU), Comrade Emmanuel Osokede, strongly condemned the ongoing kidnappings, deeming them unacceptable.
Sun gathered that Protesters carried placards with poignant messages, including “Governor AA Sule, Save Us from Kidnappers and Terrorists” and “Our Mega Salaries Are Not for Ransom.” They implored the authorities to ensure their safety, with messages like “Let the Lecturers Breathe.”
Comrade Emmanuel Osokede, during his official visit to the university on Friday revealed that over five lecturers had fallen victim to kidnappings, with their families forced to pay ransoms for their release.
The ASSU Chairman of Nasasrawa State University, NSUK Keffi, Prof. Samuel Alu, expressed deep concern, highlighting the lack of a firm response from both security and university management.
He called upon the police and relevant security agencies to issue strong condemnations of these incidents and urged the government to take immediate action to prevent further escalation, as the safety of both students and lecturers is now in jeopardy.
Responding, Prof. Abdullahi Sallau Modibo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic of NSUK, who is now serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor, shared alarming statistics, stating that three lecturers, four students, and the wife of a lecturer was kidnapped.
He reassured the community that the university was collaborating with the Civil Defense to address the situation. He also noted that the majority of kidnappings occurred outside the school’s premises, emphasizing that the campus itself remains safe.
“Efforts are underway to establish security checkpoints in strategic areas around the school environment, in cooperation with the army.”
“This measure aims to thwart criminals who frequently move their victims to the remote Nassarawa Eggon mountains.”
Prof. Modibo further said the university is also addressing the issue of overcrowding among off-campus students by partnering with construction companies to build additional hostels within the school grounds.
The university community and concerned citizens are hopeful that these measures will put an end to the disturbing wave of kidnappings, allowing lecturers and students to pursue their academic endeavors without fear for their safety. He added.
