Ekiti state ASUU threatens Strike if Kidnapped Members are not Rescued
The Ekiti State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to embark on an indefinite industrial action to protest the kidnap of its members in the State.
Members of the union in the state, led by their EKSU Chairman, Prof Olufayo Olu-Olu, staged a protest march on Mondayfrom the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti to the Ewi’s Palace, displaying placards which read: “ASUU Say No to Kidnapping”, Kidnapping is a Crime Against Humanity”, ASUU Demands Unconditional Release of Members, ‘’Ensure Safety of Lives and Property’’, among others.
They gave the State Government an ultimatum of Friday, May 22, to rescue the victims, stating that five of their members had been kidnapped within two weeks. Two members were released and instructed by the captors to find a sum of N210 million as ransom for the release of other three hostages.
The members still in captivity are Dr Femi Omisore, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr Mrs Folasade Alade of EKSU and Dr Mrs Kikelomo Adegun, wife of the former Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
Forwarding their march to the Governor’s office, they were received by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, as Governor Fayose was in Abuja to meet with the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase over the alarming development.
Olufayo said: “This is the same way Boko Haram started in the North. It started like a child’s play , but today, a visit to the North would show the level of callousness and damage the sects have done to the system. On this premise the government must act fast and stop this nonsense.
“These kidnappers erroneously thought our members are rich, but they never knew that we have not received salaries in EKSU since March, 2015. Three of our members are still being held and they were demanding for N70 million each, where do you expect us to get such money?”
