Leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have complained of receiving death threats by phone messages and have begun to go underground for fear of their lives.
In a statement by ASUU, University of Ibadan (UI) chapter, signed by Dr Olusegun Ajiboye, titled “ASUU strike: Union leaders go underground”, the union claimed they were being tailed by unknown elements suspected to be security agents being used by the Federal Government.
The statement reads in part, “Apart from the issue of finance (referring to withdrawn salaries) ASUU leaders are now being trailed all over the place. Majority of our union leaders have now gone underground while many have their telephone lines bugged. Some are now living in fear for their lives.
“The position of ASUU is that Nigeria is a democratic country and citizens are guaranteed freedom of association. Members of the union are apprehensive for the lives of their leaders. We urge the government to leave our leaders alone. Our leaders are our servants, we are their principals, they report to us on all matters. Rather than chasing shadow, government is once again called upon to implement the 2009 agreement with ASUU. Only this will bring members to their classrooms,” it said.
Ajiboye called on the Federal Government to stop harassing its members and instead focus on implementing the 2009 accord it reached with the Union.
He also urged Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to save the lives of ASUU leaders.