Presenting the message at a news briefing on Friday in Sokoto, Prof. Nuraddeen Al-Mustapha, ASUU Chairman said the briefing became imperative following the unfortunate incident. According to him, the assault on the former vice-chancellor was carried out in a brazen, unashamedly and disdained manner, depicting clear lawlessness and a premeditated act by an alleged state-sponsored arsonist of democracy.
“We, as unions in UDUS, were shocked to have witnessed what happened to our revered leader. The full episodes took place at the behest and full glare of the security apparatus that was hitherto meant to protect or provide security to the National Commissioner," he said.
The unions in UDUS are demanding that INEC and the Nigeria Police launch and follow up a full-scale investigation into the matter to unravel what went wrong and take 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 added.
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. However, it should be on record that Zuru had served the university system for over four decades, with an unblemished record of service.
The attack on Prof. Zuru has caused outrage and condemnation from different quarters. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on the integrity of the country's academic community. The NLC is calling on the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to book.
Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric act that has no place in a civilised society. The association is calling on the Federal Government to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice and that adequate measures are put in place to prevent a reoccurrence.
The attack on Prof. Zuru has brought to the fore the issue of insecurity in the country. It is worrisome that an elder statesman and a renowned academic could be attacked in broad daylight, and the security agencies who are meant to protect him stood by and watched. This is a clear indication of the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The Nigerian government needs to take urgent steps to address the issue of insecurity in the country. Security agencies need to be adequately equipped and trained to tackle the rising wave of insecurity. The government also needs to address the issue of unemployment and poverty, which are some of the factors fueling the insecurity in the country.