Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, Owerri – Barely two hours after appearing on a live radio programme in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Chairperson of the Imo State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ,Comrade Stephen Oguji was on Tuesday arrested by Police operatives.
Though Police spokesperson for Imo State command, DSP Henry Okoye was yet to confirm the development as he did not respond to messages sent to him.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson has been released alongside the other officials after they were grilled for hours by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department inside the State Police headquarters.
A credible source who pleaded anonymity said the union members were notified that Oguji after speaking on The Brief on Groove FM Owerri were picked up shortly after leaving the studio.
Oguji and Comrade Rich Edeh had appeared on a live radio programme, The Brief on Groove FM Owerri and were reported arrested shortly after leaving the studio.
The source said already the lecturers were not happy with the development especially as the strike action was a joint decision of universities including the Imo State University.
Comrade Oguji and Edeh had told the listeners that many members were unable to fend for themselves nor afford their medication due to payments irregularities adding that many lecturers don’t receive salaries for months without valid reasons.
They had complained about the state of facilities at the Imo State University and called for upgrade even as they appealed to public spirited philanthropists to set up endowment structures in the school.
Part of the complaints of the lecturers was ” ASUU-IMSU regrets the continuous retention of IMSU in the Treasury Single Account, a complete erosion of university autonomy, non payment of promotion arrears since 2016, non payment of salaries of many of our members several months, withholding of 21 months of check off dues of the union, non payment of EAA since 2009 among many others. The media would recall that it is for reasons that the union went on strike in 2024, which was suspended following a strong appeal and promise by management to look into those issues then.
Meanwhile, ASUU-IMSU is expected to issue a statement over the arrest and the state of strike action which was declared total and indefinite.
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