NASU Condemns Civil Defence Attack on JAMB Office inLokoja NASU

•JAMB insists security firm is registered
By Damilola Oyedele
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated
Institutions (NASU), JAMB Chapter has condemned an attack
on its members at its Lokoja office by over 200 men of the
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last
Wednesday.
THISDAY gathered that the men of the NSCDC had gone to
the office on the grounds that the security guards were
working for a firm which is yet to register with the Corps in
accordance with regulations.
But the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
insisted that the security outfit, SPITEC, was appropriately
registered with the NSCDC. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu
Ojerinde, in a statement, expressed strong reservations
about the assault which also saw the men of the NSCDC cart
away several valuables belonging to JAMB.
He vowed to ensure that the erring officers are punished in
accordance with the law. He added that if the Board had
erred on any regulation, the appropriate thing would be for
the NSCDC to have written formally.
Ojerinde urged all the staff members that were attacked to
not take laws into their own hands, but assured them that he
would not let the matter be swept under the carpet.
The assault allegedly left a pregnant staff member injured
and hospitalised alongside several others.
NASU, also in a statement titled 'Shame to Civil Defence'
said most of the operatives of the corps who participated in
the assault were drunk. In the statement signed by its
Chairman, Mr. Samuel Azaba and Secretary, Mr. Stephen
Ignatius, NASU demanded investigation into the incident.
"We are indeed shocked and lost over why such an attack
was targeted to our staff. Joint Admissions and Matriculation
Board was established in February 1978 as Act No. 2 of
1978, which was amended and replaced with Act 33 of
1989 to carry out functions as provided under Section 5 of
Decree 33 of 1989," it read.
The Union therefore wondered which of its stipulated
functions have violated the security expectations of the
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps "that made them
to invade our State Office, barricading the gates to the office,
beating up our staff, looting cash and equipment in the
offices.


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