ASUU CALABAR ZONE ON THE KIDNAPPINGS AND INSECURITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR
Press Releases May 18, 2016 admin
PRESS TEXT BY ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU) CALABAR ZONE ON THE KIDNAPPINGS AND INSECURITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR
It is with deep sadness and grave concern for the University system and our dear country Nigeria that we address you on the unfortunate kidnappings and general insecurity in the University of Calabar. On Monday, May 3, 2016 a dark shadow was cast on the University of Calabar when three (3) members of the University community were abducted by armed men from the safety of their homes at the Staff Quarters.
Mrs. Nancy Okey Ndifon and Miss Oyebah Okey Ndifon (wife and daughter respectively of Dr. Okey Ndifon, an academic staff) and Dr. David Ekpenyong Iniama (son of a Deputy Registrar) were forcefully uprooted from their homes and since then their whereabouts have been unknown. The pain and sadness amongst the families ever since this regrettable development have been deep and the impact on the University devastating.
These kidnappings in Unical remind us of not only the increasingly alarming insecurity across the country but also the danger that academics are exposed to. The kidnappings also bring to bold relief the porous security situation in the University of Calabar, which academic staff have always drawn the attention of the University and security agencies to.
Time and again there have been cases of brazen armed robbery attacks at the Staff Quarters, averagely twice a month. The University security is apparently ill-equipped to tackle the robbery menace in the institution and the kidnapping dimension that the situation has taken.
ASUU totally condemns the kidnappings in the University and calls categorically on the security agencies to focus their attention on Unical, especially the Staff Village and the bank of the Qua River. This unpoliced river, which lies beside the Staff Village is a route for marauders and kidnappers, who have come to see those in the University as a soft target, hence the incessant dastardly acts of robbery.
To curb the frequent robberies in the University and now abductions, the Qua River must be adequately policed, particularly the bank on the side of the Staff Quarters. As a matter of priority, a security post should be mounted at the bank of the Qua River, behind the University Library.
The ugly situation in the University has generated an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty with a devastating impact on teaching and learning. Normalcy in the University can only be restored by the immediate release of the abducted persons. The psychological trauma occasioned by the kidnappings cannot be adequately described.
We therefore call on the University of Calabar, the Cross River State Government, the security agencies to do all within their powers and secure the urgent release of our beloved ones. This is the surest way to restoring an atmosphere for meaningful academic activities in the University.
The confidence of members of the community can only be restored by adequate security presence in strategic places and effective intelligence gathering in the University and its environs.
Thank you.
Dr. Tony Eyang (Chairman, ASUU UNICAL)
Dr. Emmanuel Ettah (Chairman, ASUU CRUTECH)
Dr. Aniekan Brown (Chairman, ASUU UNIUYO)
Dr. Ime Okop (Chairman, ASUU AKSU)
Arch. Ochi Ejimofor (Chairman, ASUU ABSU)
Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi (Chairman, ASUU EBSU)
Prof. Nsing Ogar
Zonal Co-ordinator.
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