The Owerri Zone Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a strong condemnation following the arrest of two of its officials from the Imo State University (IMSU). The union reported that police detained the officials, Vice-Chairman Chinedu Egbuchu and Investment Secretary Nnamdi Chibo, during their monitoring of an industrial action initiated by the union.
The strike commenced in response to what ASUU described as the Imo State Government’s failure to uphold agreements made with the union. The arrests took place in the university’s Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, where no altercation had occurred prior to the involvement of the Chief Security Officer of IMSU.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ASUU stated that the officials were detained for over seven hours before being released on bail. The union emphasized the legitimacy of their strike, which was supported by the necessary approvals from their National Executive Council.
ASUU further explained that their grievances stemmed from the state government’s disregard for the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which has yet to be implemented at both IMSU and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra State. The union had previously organized a press conference to highlight these issues but received no response from the authorities.
The leaders of ASUU are calling on Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to ensure the prompt implementation of the agreement, warning that intimidation will not deter their efforts. They assert that such tactics threaten to escalate the situation further and disrupt academic activities.
During a press conference, IMSU ASUU Chairman Stephen Oguji reaffirmed the commitment to legitimate union activities without fear of intimidation and urged for transparent dialogue regarding the arrests. He cautioned that the current climate of mistrust raises the stakes and complicates potential negotiations, emphasizing the need for a constructive resolution.
