The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to embark on a strike following the kidnap of some of its members.
The Union made this known after no fewer than 48 persons including five lecturers of UNIMAID, fifteen soldiers, eleven members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation were waylaid while on exploration tour in Barno Yasu, Borno state on Thursday by the Boko Haram terrorists.
ASUU stated that it will embark on the proposed strike if the Federal Government fails to secure the release of its members in captivity of the Islamist-Jihadist sect.
Speaking on the proposed strike action, the President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, stated that the union would take action if the timely release of its members is not secured by the federal government.
He added: “Our union is no doubt saddened by the UNIMAID incident. It is a concrete manifestation of our fears all along. As far back as June 9, we expressed our fears about the alarming security situation in the Maiduguri metropolis and particularly in UNIMAID. Those fears we expressed are beginning to manifest concretely.
“The situation could have been better handled. Our members, who were carrying out their legitimate duties were made vulnerable to this experience.”
“We have told the government to take the necessary steps and get our members in captivity released or else, we may be forced to call out our members. But we are getting assurances now that the government is going to do the needful.”