ASUU officials' arrest won't intimidate us, says union coordinator

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the arrest and detention of two of its officials at Imo State University (IMSU). Prof. Dennis Aribodor, Coordinator of the Owerri Zone, stated that the union cannot be intimidated while carrying out its duties.

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ASUU and her members can never be intimidated.

The arrested officials, identified as IMSU ASUU Vice Chairperson Chinedu Egbuchu and Investment Secretary Nnamdi Chibo, were reportedly detained for over seven hours. According to Aribodor, they were monitoring strike activities at the Faculty of Media and Communication Studies when they encountered the university's Public Relations Officer. The situation escalated when the university's Chief Security Officer arrived and escorted the ASUU members to the security building, where police were present.

Aribodor asserted that the IMSU branch's strike is legitimate, having followed all necessary procedures approved by the union's National Executive Council. He recalled that the Owerri Zone had previously alerted the public about the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement in two state-owned universities, including IMSU. The union had issued a 21-day ultimatum and conducted national visitations to resolve the issue before the strike commenced.

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Now that the strike has commenced, what is expected from the administration of Imo State University is not intimidation.

ASUU is calling on the university administration and relevant authorities, including the Visitor to IMSU, to implement the 2025 agreement. Aribodor emphasized that intimidation is not the expected response from the university administration now that the strike is underway, reiterating that ASUU members will not be intimidated.

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Rather, the relevant authorities, including the Visitor to Imo State University, should implement the 2025 agreement.