The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State condemns in
its entirety the unwarranted killing today of three students of the
University of Port Harcourt who were on a peaceful protest. We are
worried that if three unarmed protesting students will be killed in
cold blood then there is no guarantee that protesting workers or
citizens will not be killed.
We call on the authorities
of the University of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Commissioner of
Police, the Inspector General of Police and the Hon. Minister for
Education to as a matter of utmost urgency identify and prosecute those
who killed the innocent protesting students. 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.
Silence in this matter cannot be golden but an actively collaboration with the murderers of the students.
Solidarity forever
For: Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)
Rivers State Council
Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu FCA, JP
State Chairman
