SIX newspaper correspondents in Ondo State were yesterday assaulted by rampaging workers of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA. The assaulted journalists included, Peter Dada (The Punch), Leke Akeredolu (The Nation), Dayo Johnson (Vanguard.) Others were : Mr. Akeem Gbadamosi and Tope Okeowo and Seun Akingboye (The Guardian.)
The workers who are non academic staffs in the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) pounced on the journalists who came to cover their protest.
The journalists were in the institution to monitor their protest asking for the removal of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Daramola Adebiyi and the Bursar Emmanuel Oresegun following their interrogation by the EFCC over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of fund.
Their protest which entered the second day turned violent when after speaking with their spokesperson who is the Chairman of SSANU, Dele Durojaiye, the journalists made attempt to get reactions from the institution.
The workers in their hundred swooped on journalists, insisting that the reaction from the institutions spokesperson was not necessary. Led by SSANU chairman Durojaiye, the six journalists were mobbed, pushed and ordered out of the campus.
Several unprintable words were said to the journalists and the timely intervention of the Policemen deployed to the institution saved the irate workers from lynching the journalists. Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 policemen have been deployed to the institution following the uncivilized behaviour of the union members.
The two main gates leading to the institution remained under lock and keys as no vehicle was allowed into the institution Police Image Maker Femi Joseph said the command sent its men to the school so as not to allow breakdown of law and order.
Source: Vanguard
