University of Abuja Protest - ASUU Criticises Use of Soldiers to Eject Students

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja (Uniabuja) chapter, yesterday criticised the use of armed soldiers to eject students from hostels, following a protest that led to the closure of the institution. Dr Clement Chup, the Chair-man, Uniabuja branch of ASUU, made the criticism in Gwagwalada, FCT, at a news conference. He expressed dismay over the manner the crisis was handled by the university management. He said the use of armed sol-diers to eject students from the hostels within few hours of the announcement of the closure of the university had instilled unnecessary fear on the university community. Chup, therefore, called on the Chief of Army Staff to exercise restraint in future operations, adding that the country was under a democratic dispensation where people should be free to air their views. The union had called for the release of the White Paper on the report of the last Special Visitation Panel to the university without further delay. He added that "it is our convic-tion that the White Paper, if promptly released and implemented, will proffer solution to our challenges in the university." NAN Source www.allafrica.com