Kidnapping: ASUU Threatens Strike as Members Protest in Ekiti

Following the abduction of another member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ekiti State University chapter, at the weekend, the body, on Monday, staged a protest, in Ado-Ekiti, against incessant kidnapping of its members, and gave the State Government till Friday, May 22, to rescue the victims, failing which they would go on an indefinite strike. The body expressed displeasure with the abduction of five of its members at various locations in the state within the past two weeks, two of whom had been released to look for a sum of N210 million being demanded as ransom for the release of the remaining three hostages. Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: “ASUU says no to kidnapping”, Kidnapping is a crime against humanity”, ASUU Demands unconditional release of members,” “Ensure safety of lives and property’’, among others. They were protesting against the kidnapping of Dr. Femi Omisore, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr. (Mrs.) Folasade Alade of Ekiti State University and Dr. (Mrs.) Kikelomo Adegun, wife of the former Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti. ASUU members, led by its EKSU Chairman, Prof Olufayo Olu-Olu, marched from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti to the Ewi’s Palace, where they were addressed by Oba Rufus Adejugbe and members of his council. Prof Olufayo also received solidarity from his colleagues from OAU, Dr. Caleb Aborisade and Federal University of Technology, Dr Bola Oniya. They later moved to see Governor Ayodele Fayose at his office, but they were received by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, because the governor was said to have gone to Abuja to meet with the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase over the soaring cases of abduction in the state. Expressing his grievances before the governor, the ASUU leader said it was embarrassing for the kidnappers to have chosen ASUU members and their colleagues in the health profession as targets, urging the government to do all within its powers to rescue the state from sliding into anarchy.