The Coalition of University-based Unions of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) has described the attack on the INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru as inhuman, senseless, and demanded for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
The coalition, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT), NASU and SSANU, of the institution, made the condemnation at a press conference in Sokoto on Thursday.
Read by the ASUU Chairman of the branch, Prof. Nuraddeen Al-Mustapha, the Coalition noted that “It is antithetical to common sense to believe that a whole state government and security agencies would watch in amusement, while an elder statesman was being manhandled in such a brutal manner.
“It depicted clear lawlessness and premeditated act by an alleged state-sponsored arsonists of democracy.
“The full episode took place at the behest and full glare of the security apparatus that were, hitherto, meant to protect or provide security to the National Commissioner.
“We will never accept mistaken identity as an excuse. We were baffled by how the incident led to the emergence of video clips depicting and or showcasing the attack in a viral manner,” Prof. Al-Mustapha stated.
The unions called on the INEC and the Nigeria Police to launch a full-scale investigation on the matter to unravel what went wrong and the necessary steps to be taken.
“INEC should issue a press statement condemning this attack and must also clear the air on the purported lies spread about the personality of Prof. Zuru.
“We believe and can vouch fully that he has never been found wanting as far as his records and antecedents are concerned,” Nuraddeen said.
