ASSU members protest kidnap of their member in Ekpoma

Protest

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Protest

The abduction of an Associate Professor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Dr. Paul Erie, by kidnappers, has sparked a protest by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in the University.

The protesting lecturers who carried placards and chanted solidarity songs on Friday, took their peaceful protest to the Ekpoma Police Station, the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma and the popular Market Square, condemned the kidnap and called for the immediate and unconditional release of their colleague.

Erie, a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, was reported to have been kidnapped at his residence in Igbanke, Orhiowmon Local Government Area of Edo State, since June 16, 2015.‬‪

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Chairman of ASUU, AAU Chapter, Prof. Fred Esumeh, in his speech, explained that the protest was to bring to the public domain once more, the unending spate of kidnapping of its members or their spouses in Ekpoma and environs.‬‪

He recalled that more than eight AAU-ASUU members have been kidnapped in the past, just as he called on the security agencies and the governor of Edo State to come to their rescue.‬‪

“Teaching and learning cannot take place in an environment where fear reigns supreme and insecurity is the order of the day.‬‪ We believe that this ugly trend has become pervasive and almost a normal thing because little or nothing has been done to apprehend the hoodlums as they seem to be having a free day in their nefarious business,” Prof. Esumeh said.‬‪

He gave the names of Professor O.P.G. Nmorsi of the Department of Religious and Cultural Management; Prof. E.E. Okoeguele of Botany Department; Dr. Justina Ehikhiamen of Department of Philosophy and Mrs. L.A. Osho of Vocation and Technical Education, as members of ASUU who have been abducted in the past, while the wives of Prof. J.E.A. Osemekhian; Prof. Raymond Aluede; Prof. I.A. Onimhawo and Dr. Ken Imarenezer of Departments of Physics, Educational Foundations, Biochemistry and Microbiology had also been kidnapped in recent past.

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