Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto Zone, has condemned the arrest and arraignment of Dr. Kurfi of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, describing it as intimidation of lecturers by the Katsina State Government.
The Zonal Chairman of the Union, Professor Abubakar Sabo Yabo, who briefed journalists in Sokoto stated Dr. Kurfi was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly on the instruction of the Katsina State Government over his feedback on the safety state of affairs within the state.
Yabo stated the event stays a difficulty of grave concern to the tutorial group and most people, because it raises questions concerning the misplacement of authorities priorities.
According to him, it’s evident that the latest antics of the federal government showcase an inclination to instil concern in an already traumatised nation, relatively than present options to urgent challenges.
He famous that whereas ASUU accepts the appliance of the rule of legislation in each circumstance, the place it turns into a device for intimidation, it turns into a critical matter of concern to the Union.
The Zonal Chairman pressured that deploying devices of state safety to harass an instructional for expressing views on insecurity quantities to an assault on freedom of expression and tutorial freedom.
He due to this fact known as on the Katsina State Government to focus sincerely on addressing the financial, social and safety challenges affecting the state, relatively than resorting to pointless intimidation of lecturers.
Yabo additional known as on related safety companies and the judiciary to be truthful and neutral in treating Dr. Kurfi, insisting that due course of have to be strictly noticed.
He added: “Let it be on record that Nigerians are watching as the legal processes take place. Justice to one is justice to all, while injustice to one is injustice to all.”
The Union warned that it might not stand aloof whereas its members are harassed underneath the guise of legislation enforcement, stressing that an harm to at least one tutorial is an harm to all.
Efforts to get the response of the Katsina State Government as at press time proved abortive.
