Abuja - The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja (Uniabuja) chapter, on Monday 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 Chairman, 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 soldiers 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 conviction that the White Paper, if promptly released and implemented, will proffer solution to our challenges in the university.’’
Chup, however, commended the university senate for its decision to call the 300 and 400 level students back to school on Dec. 3 to restart their second semester examination.
``We call on the university management to put effective security in place to ensure the security of lives and property before the commencement of the examination,” he said.
NAN