EKPOMA – Members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma Chapter on Friday took to the streets of the university town to protest the kidnap of their colleague, Dr. Paul Erie, an associate professor.
Erie, who is of the department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture was reported to have been kidnapped at his residence in Igbanke, Orhiowmon Local Government Area of Edo State, since June 16, 2015.
The unionists who carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, took their peaceful protest to the Ekpoma Police Station, palace of monarch of Ekpoma, the popular Market Square in the town to register their grievances.
Chairman of ASUU, AAU Chapter, Prof. Fred Esumeh explained that the protest was to bring to the public domain once more of the unending spate of kidnapping of its members or spouses of members in Ekpoma and environs.
He recalled that more than eight AAU-ASUU members that have been kidnapped in the past, called on the security agencies and the governor of Edo State, the Chief Security officer to come to their rescue.
“Teaching and learning cannot take place in an environment where fear reigns supreme and insecurity is the order of the day.
“We believe that this ugly trend has become pervasive and almost a normal thing because little or nothing has been done to apprehend the hoodlums as they seem to be having a free day in their nefarious business”, he lamented.
It will be recalled that Prof. O.P.G. Nmorsi of the Department of Religious and Cultural Management, Prof. E.E. Okoeguele of Botany Department Dr. Justina Ehikhiamen of Department of Philosophy, Mrs. L.A. Osho of Vocation and Technical Education and the wives of Prof. J.E.A. Osemekhian, Prof. Raymond Aluede, Prof. I.A. Onimhawo and Dr. Ken Imarenezer of Departments of Physics, Educational Foundations, Biochemistry and Microbiology respectively, have been kidnapped in recent past.
Samuel Adegbuyi, Edo State Police Commissioner
