Unilorin ASUU members raise the alarm over assassination attempt

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the University of Ilorin branch have cried out, over alleged assassination plot by the university on them.

In a statement by the chairperson of the union, Dr Kayode Afolayan and Secretary, Dr Solomon Oyelekan, made available to journalists in Ilorin on Thursday, they alleged that they were suddenly assaulted by men of Department State Security (DSS), in company with campus security and some officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Wednesday, while attending a congress of their union, ASUU.

The Unilorin ASUU leaders, who said the meeting which was initially scheduled to take place at the University open air Amphitheatre, was shifted to one of the side sitters of the walkway of the University also in the open air.

“The meeting had barely begun when the incident occurred.

“As usual, the university administration had been notified of this meeting. Usually the authorities would deploy campus security personnel to take up positions, to prevent academic staff from attending the meeting and to intimidate those who went on to attend. And the Union had always protested in writing against this illegal and barbaric habit.

“However, a new dimension was added yesterday, when men of the DSS and “Civil Defence” accompanied campus security to assault the academic staff at the meeting. The files and papers being used by the chairperson of the union, Dr K.N. Afolayan, were forcibly taken away, while he was assaulted; the iPad of another member, Mr Felix Akinsipe, was forcibly taken away; the shirt of Dr Femi Dunmade was torn.

“The situation nearly went out of hand before the head of campus security, Alhaji Tijani, decided to lead the DSS and Civil Defence away, from wherever he brought them from in the first place,” the statement said.

Reacting, the deputy director of Information of the university, Mr Kunle Akogun, said the Unilorin management was not aware of any invasion on the campus.

“The allegation by Dr Kayode Afolayan is news to us, as the university authority is not aware of any meeting by any group, outside the one held by the Kwara State Police Commissioner with members of all campus unions (staff and students) in the University Auditorium on Wednesday. This meeting, which was also attended by members of the Private Hostel Association and Tanke community leaders, was conveyed to foster the security of lives and property of members of the University community and its adjoining communities.

Members of the Executive Council of Unilorin ASUU, led by Dr Usman Raheem, were fully represented at the meeting and they made useful contributions to its proceedings.

Whatever happened between the Kayode Afolayan group and the DSS, as alleged, is not known to the university management,” he said.