Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday protested the kidnapping of its members in Ekiti State, and threatened to withdraw their services, if the victims were not rescued by Friday, May 22.
The body lamented that the captors were demanding N210 million as ransom for the release of three out of five members kidnapped at different locations, describing the scenario as frightening and disturbing.
ASUU members, led by Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti chapter chairman, Prof Olufayo Olu-Olu were protesting the kidnapping of Dr Femi Omisore , a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr Folasade Alade of EKSU and Dr. Kikelomo Adegun , wife of the former Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
Armed with placards with inscriptions like,“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, the protesters 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 in the company of his colleagues from OAU, Dr Caleb Aborisade and Federal University of Technology, Dr Bola Oniya later moved to see Governor Ayodele Fayose’s office, where they were received by the deputy governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, with the governor reported to have gone to Abuja to meet with the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase over the incessant abduction in the state.
Decrying the kidnap of his members and their colleagues in the health profession, he urged the government to do all within its powers to rescue the state from sliding into anarchy.
Prof 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.
The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has assured people of Ekiti of a rapid response to the spate of kidnappings in the state.
Arase while playing host to the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose in his office, promised to deploy a special team in the duo of Ekiti and Kogi states within the next 48 hours to stem the tide.
The IGP who noted that the police will do everything within her power to ensure that all states of the federation are rid of people with criminal tendencies, assured the governor that Ekiti State will soon become safe for economic activities.
Earlier, the governor congratulated the IGP on his well deserved elevation noted that he was at the Police Headquarters to intimate the IG on the state of security in Ekiti.
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