PROF. Biodun Ogunyemi, president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to call a general strike of lecturers in Nigeria universities if the federal government did not strengthen security in University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, and ensure the release of the abducted lecturers by Boko Haram terrorists.

According to him, “Our union is no doubt saddened by the UNIMAID incident. It is a concrete manifestation of our fears all along. As far back as June 9, we expressed our fears about the alarming security situation in the Maiduguri metropolis and particularly in UNIMAID. Those fears we expressed are beginning to manifest concretely.

“The situation could have been better handled. Our members, who were carrying out their legitimate duties were made vulnerable to this experience. We have told the government to take the necessary steps and get our members in captivity released or else, we may be forced to call out our members. But we are getting assurances now that the government is going to do the needful.”

Boko Haram insurgents had on July 25 ambushed troops, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, escorting some staff members of the NNPC as well as that of the University of Maiduguri who were carrying out oil exploration activities in Borno Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno state.
Beside killing of soldiers and civilians, the insurgents equally abducted three UNIMAID staff. The abducted UNIMAID staff are Yusuf Ibrahim, a lecturer, Geology department, University of Maiduguri; Haruna…a driver from the University of Maiduguri; and Solomon a lecturer from the University of Maiduguri. — NewsRangers

—  Jul 31, 2017 @ 11:40 GMT