TUC threatens action over death of student

olamide oni

April 13, 2016 2:38 PM

“We note that students all over the world have the right to protest."

Protesting students at UNIPORT

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State has said that it will mobilize workers in the state over the alleged killing of a student of the University of Port Harcourt, Peter Opurum.

Opurum was allegedly murdered by a member of the Port Harcourt police force during a UNIPORT students protest.

In a statement issued yesterday, April 12, TUC state chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu urged the university management, the Rivers State Commissioner for Police, the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Education to find those responsible for the killing.

The statement reads in part, “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State condemns in its entirety, the unwarranted killing today of a who were on a peaceful protest. We are worried that if these unarmed protesting students will be killed in cold blood, then there is no guarantee that protesting workers or citizens will not be killed.

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“We note that students all over the world have the right to protest. And as a matter of fact, the right to peaceful protest is protected by the Nigerian constitution.

“We want to state categorically that if within 14 days our demand is not met, we shall convene an emergency TUC State Council meeting and invite the State Council to take a decision on this matter, including the decision to withdraw the services of all our members in Rivers State.

“We appeal to all parents, civil society organisations and people of good conscience to rise up against the unwarranted and cold blooded killing of these students, whose only offence was protesting against the policy of the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt. We want to state categorically that if the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT cannot handle a mere student protest, then he should resign immediately.”

olamide oni