The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) ,Rivers State,has condemned the unwarranted killing of several students of the University of Port Harcourt during a peaceful protest yesterday.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, Chika Onuegbu, said: “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.”
TUC appealed 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.
TUC went further 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.”
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