- Students of Ambrose Ali University on Tuesday attacked members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities holding a meeting on the campus.
Students of Ambrose Ali University on Tuesday attacked members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities holding a meeting on the campus.
The students, who were protesting against strikes in the university, carried placards on which were written, “No more strike”, “We are tired of staying at home”, ” We no go gree” and more, said they disrupted the lecturers’ meeting to prevent them taking decisions that could mean further strike action.
An eyewitness said the protesting students while chanting solidarity songs attacked the venue of the meeting and threw stones, broken bottles, blocks, forcing the lecturers to run.
Some lecturers who sustained injuries were later rushed to a private clinic at Ekpoma town for treatment.
The rampaging students were said to have disrupted the meeting after news filtered to them that ASUU was holding the Congress to call for strike action at a time the non-academic staff workers were on a warning strike.
A student who pleaded anonymity said the disruption was to stop the lecturers from calling for strike action.
Speaking on the incident, Chairman of ASUU-AAU chapter, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said the students almost burnt them alive inside the hall.
Igbafen said they were discussing issues about a court case against the Union when they were attacked.
He said, “It was God that saved us. Security has collapsed inside the school. The Vice Chancellor cannot guarantee security.
“We are now crying to the State Government and the Council that our lives are in danger and lecture cannot hold in an unsecured environment.”
Spokesman for the institution, Mr. Edward Aihevba, condemned the students’ action, saying it is wrong on the part of the students to embark on such violent action.
Aihevba in a release sent to The PUNCH said that the school management has begun an investigation into the incident and assured that those liable would be brought to book.
“The University management received a report that some students violently disrupted a meeting of Academic staff around 1pm on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
“The management condemns the action of the students for whatever reasons and in whatever guise. The students have no right to disrupt any approved meeting.
“We appeal to academic staff to go about their duties in the assurances of peace and calmness in the University,” he said.
