The College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) of the Federal College of Education (Tech) Omoku, Rivers State have called on the federal, state and all relevant security agencies to come to the aid of the institution by providing adequate security on and within the college to protect staff from the constant kidnapping of members of staff.
The chairman of the Union, Comrade Peter China Godfrey dropped the hint while speaking to journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalist’s temporary secretariat on Monday, 29 October, 2012 in Port Harcourt.
The chairman who was accompanied on the visit by his Secretary, Chief Ubadinma Ebekgu and other union members called on the federal and state governments to immediately put in measures that will put a check on the constant kidnapping of the college lecturers.
In a letter presented to journalists at the NUJ secretariat titled “Save our Soul,” the union called on the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly and all security Agencies in the country to protect them from the incessant kidnapping and the current flood disaster that have submerged the institution.
The Union chairman stated that lives and properties at the college are no longer secured, as within the year 2012 a total of six persons have so far been kidnapped and released, but Dr. Richard Ihua-Maduenyi died in the hands of the captors, as he was tortured to death.
Comrade Godfrey called on the security agencies to do all they can to recover the body of their late colleague for burial.
On the issue of flood, the chairman said the flood that ravaged Omoku community did not spare the Federal Government College (tech), Omoku as academic activities are brought to stand-still, while all equipments at the ITC centre have been submerged by the flood.
The Union’s Boss called on those incharge of the relief materials to consider the two campuses of the institution.
When asked why did they raise alarm now that one of their members is killed, Comrade Godfrey said that they have been complaining since, but the death of Dr. Maduenyi is a blow on the college.
On the state of other six members so far kidnapped, he said all of them are free for now, but one of them is still taking treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Asked why they were not involved or given any of the relief materials, the chairman said those in charge bypass them in the sharing, noting that the lecturers lost their accommodation to the flood and they have provided themselves with alternative accommodation.
The union admitted that there has been the presence of Police Public Relations Committee in the college, but the situation seems to be bigger than them.
The union therefore calls on the relevant government agencies to rescue them from the hands of the kidnappers or they will be forced to use the constitution. List of those kidnapped and released are: Engr. Onyeakwu F.O.N, Dr. Charlie Agbaegbu, Lady B.M. Onuebunwa, Mr. Conqueror Nwokeocha, Mrs. Vivian Agburuga, Dr. R.F Quadiri and Late Dr. Richard Ihua-Maduenyi, who died in their custody. ###
