The National Association of Nigerian Students is currently protesting around the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, against the prolonged strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) amid heavy security.
This was confirmed by the South-West Coordinator of NANS, Adegboye Olatununji, on Monday.
According to him, some security agencies had been mobilised to the scene, but the students remained undaunted.
What NANS is saying about protest
He said, “They mobilised heavy security, but we’re undaunted. We’re there on standby.
“As much as we welcome the dialogue for Tuesday, we insist that the second phase of our action targetted at shutting down all international airports throughout the country continues. In fact, someone like Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, should also come out to address the students.”
We are ready for them – Police
The Lagos State Police Command has said it will not allow the student body to ground operations at the Lagos airport and urged citizens to go about their lawful duties.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, said, “Speaking from a position of confidence, everything is intact, and there is no threat on the airport or the airspace.
“However, the protesters who issued the threat are free to come out and see what awaits them. We, however, urge law-abiding Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.”
Security is beefed up – FAAN
The spokesperson for the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Hope Ivbaze said, “You won’t expect that this kind of information will go around and security will not be beefed up.
“The airport is the nation’s gateway. Certainly, we have existing security operatives at the airport and when there are things like this, security is further beefed up.’’
In case you missed it
- NANS had said that the planned meeting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, will not stop its Monday protest.
- NANS, in a statement, Sunday, signed by its National Task Force Chairman on #EndASUUStrikeNow, Ojo Raymond, noted that even though it welcomed the Speaker’s intervention, its pledge to ground airports in the country would be executed.
- Gbajabiamila had in a letter signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Yahaya Danzarta, and addressed to the President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed his concern over the failed negotiations between the Federal Government and the union, asking to meet with the union on Tuesday.
- NANS also alleged plans to attack its members at the protest scheduled for Monday, saying this would be a violation of their rights to protest.
A rally was slated for Monday and you are fixing a meeting for Tuesday. The people you are dealing with are the educated. They can read between the lines. You were in other words nudging them to go ahead with the demonstrations. Why not make time to address them before the time they slated for the rally? Do you have other things more important to you in your schedule of duties at this time that there is fire on the mountain? How many of your children are right away at home because of the ASUU strike?