Tension In Nigerian University As ‘Soldiers’ Assault ASUU Chairman
Residents of Yelwa Campus of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State and its environs have been thrown into palpable tension following students’ rampage on Monday after the Chairman of the University’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of the Universities, Dr Ibrahim Inuwa, was allegedly assaulted by some soldiers.
Inuwa was allegedly assaulted when some soldiers in a convoy of two vehicles drove into the campus but were stopped by the university’s security and prevented from going inside because their vehicles had tinted glasses.
While the school security personnel were still dragging with the soldiers, Inuwa got to the gate and sought to inquire what was happening but the soldiers allegedly repeatedly slapped him, PUNCH reports.
It was reported that at 10:15p.m on Monday, scores of students were seen shouting and insisting that the five soldiers who were taken to the institution’s security office be released to them so they could avenge what was done to the ASUU chairman.
The angry students have reportedly closed down and blocked two major gates leading to the campus as they denied cars access into the school, while those going out had to also turn back, while at the security office where the soldiers were taken, the students tried to force themselves inside but were prevented by the school’s security.
Inuwa said he was on his way home when he saw the soldiers harassing the security man on duty at the gate, and he parked his car and came to ask what was going on, but immediately, the soldiers started hauling abuse on him.
The ASUU chairman said that one of the soldiers suddenly descended on him with slaps.
Inuwa was quoted as saying, “Just this (Monday) night, a few minutes after 8 pm, I was going out of the university and I saw a convoy of two vehicles, they were busy arguing and harassing the security man on duty. At that time, most of the security men were praying in a mosque by the gate. So I had to stop because it is my responsibility as the chairman of the union.
“I told them that this is a university and we have our rules, and the next thing, they started shoving me, then one of them went to the extreme and slapped me three consecutive times. I called their attention that what they have done is wrong, and I told them they would regret it. You can even see the prints of the slaps on my face.
“They were claiming that they are military guys but to give us their details was a problem. They were on mufti and they forced their way into the university.”
Also, the National Internal Auditor of ASUU, Adamu Babayo, who condemned the action of the soldiers, said that without the quick intervention of the school’s security and some lecturers, the students could have lynched the soldiers.
He said that “They (the military men) are at the security office, we want to know them, but their officers are protecting them and saying we should free them. We have our own rules, just as they have theirs in the military. So, what we are telling them is that we are going to use our own rules to address this matter.”
