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We lost more than 100 members during the last strike….chairman asuu unimaid branch
We lost more than 100 members during the last strike….chairman asuu unimaid branch
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (asuu) University of Maiduguri (unimaid) branch Dr Habu Mshelia has said that over 100 of his colleagues lost their lives during the eight months strike in 2022.
He regretted that most of them died because they could not afford the treatment of themselves during the 2022 strike carried out by asuu under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding to a question by this reporter during an exclusive interview, Dr Mshelia posited that the union has a comprehensive list of members buried during the eight months strike of 2022 under President Mohammadu Buhari adding that 50 was a mere understatement of deceased colleagues during that sad period.
“I can tell you we buried not less than 100 of our members and these are committed academics, Professors, PhD holders who have been serving the nation in this University. They all perished within the eight months of the last strike and the government is still indignant about our demands.” Said Meshelia.
Speaking on the recent loan the federal government dangled to members of ASUU to accept as an alternative to what they are being owed, he dismissed the offer as a mere distraction to their focus on getting what is rightly theirs.
” Let me tell you this. In the history of Universities globally, no where have we heard that academic unions are dragged into matters of loans by the government of that nation.
“Also to the best of our knowledge, that has never happened in the history of this country but it came up under this federal government and one thing we must tell you is that, we have our unpaid monies with them.
“We also have salary promotion arrears and three and a half months salaries unpaid yet all of a sudden, the same government is saying we should come and take loans. Loans for what?
“It means they have the money to pay our withheld salaries, promotion arrears and also to sign into law our agreement on the review of salaries of members but they refused to put pen to paper by putting all our demands aside.
” In view of this we reject their loan offer because it is just a method to further impoverish out members. We reject it vehemently. We are already indebted in many ways by our corporative and other sources so this will further compound issues.
“We just told you in the news conference that a retired Professor is given a paltry N150,000 after 40 years of service to a rich country like Nigeria. Is that not absurd?
“The average take home of Professors in other climes is around 3,000 to 5000 dollars. Therefore, if you convert his take home of 450k at the bar, and divide by 1500, what will be left with will shock you. The Prof is left with nothing. And this is why we are vehemently rejecting this loan of a thing they brought before us.” Maintained the chairman.
On the 35 percent wage award pronouncement made by the late President Buhari at the peak of the crisis to Professors, Dr Meshlia maintained that it was a tactical distraction against the focus of the agreement adding that “we don’t want to put so much of our weight on that and miss our focus.”
He emphasised that the agreement was paramount to asuu because it would shake the foundation of most of their pending challenges and the future of the entire University system.
Hear him: “what we are saying is that, we have come to an agreement with your subjects you sent to us, and before we discussed we examined and confirmed that they really came from you. We have negotiated our wages and you refused to sign the agreement.
“We are talking about increments that are our statutory rights. If they have done that to every one in the nation they can’t exclude us, it must be extended to our members, that is what we are saying.”
On security of his colleagues living on campus which is at the fringes of the Sambisa forest, Mshelia went on: “Our security first starts with our wages. If you give us a very good wage, then you are guaranteeing our security. If you don’t give us what is expected, that means you are overworking our members who are staying long hours where they are not supposed to be trying to meet up with extra work to take care of their families and that itself is overworking them.
“But if i must speak on insecurity, I would say it is a nationwide issue not only in unimaid. Universities were shut down in other parts of the country due to insecurity. But one thing you must give to us here is that throughout the insurgency this university has not been shut down but the govt has shut it down by itself by not meeting the demands of our members. The action of government is gross insecurity itself.” concluded the chairman.
The unimaid branch of asuu recently went on a massive campus enlightenment campaign aimed at calling the attention of their proprietor the Federal government to their unpaid salaries and matters arising from the unsigned 2021 agreement they had.
We lost more than 100 members during the last strike….chairman asuu unimaid branch
News
Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory
Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory
By Zagazola Makama
The Chadian General Staff has accused the warring parties in Sudan of violating Chad’s territorial integrity after aircraft and drones allegedly pursued and bombarded a convoy more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, near Chad’s common border with Sudan, particularly around the Mourdi Department in the Ennedi-Est Province.
In a communiqué issued to the national and international public, the Chadian General Staff said aerial and ground assessments conducted throughout Friday, August 21, confirmed that the fighting in Sudan had once again spilled into Chadian territory.
According to the military authorities, aircraft and drones identified as belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and/or forces supporting them were involved in the pursuit of a convoy.
The Chadian military said the operation initially took place on Sudanese territory but subsequently extended deep into Chad, with the convoy reportedly pursued and bombarded more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.
The military authorities did not provide details on the identity of the convoy, the nature of its cargo, or the circumstances that led to the pursuit across the border.
However, the Chadian General Staff described the incident as a fresh violation of the country’s territorial integrity and warned all parties involved in the Sudan conflict against attempting to extend the war into Chad.
“Although no Chadian casualties have been recorded to date,” the military said, it strongly condemned what it described as the latest violation of Chad’s territorial integrity.
The General Staff issued a stern warning to the Sudanese belligerents, saying continued attempts to expand the Sudanese conflict into Chadian territory could have serious consequences.
It described such actions as a “suicidal risk” for those seeking to bring the Sudanese war onto Chadian soil.
The latest incident comes amid the continuing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has increasingly generated security concerns for neighbouring countries.
Chad shares a long and porous border with Sudan, particularly along its eastern frontier, where the security situation has remained fragile due to the movement of armed groups, refugees, weapons and combatants fleeing the Sudanese conflict.
The Chadian military said its defence and security forces remain on the highest level of alert to prevent further violations and protect the country’s population.
It further assured citizens that the security forces are prepared to respond forcefully to any threat capable of undermining the peace and security of the Chadian people.
The statement did not indicate whether Chad had identified the specific aircraft or drones involved through direct visual confirmation, radar data or other intelligence means, but said assessments conducted through aerial and physical means established that the operation had crossed into Chadian territory.
The development raises concerns over the potential regionalisation of the Sudan conflict, particularly as fighting and military operations continue to take place close to Sudan’s borders with Chad and other neighbouring countries.
For Chad, the alleged incursion represents a particularly sensitive security issue given the country’s proximity to the conflict and the potential for cross-border military operations to trigger a broader confrontation.
The Chadian authorities have therefore placed their forces on heightened alert while warning the Sudanese belligerents that further violations of its territory could provoke an energetic response.
The Chadian General Staff stressed that its priority remains the protection of the country’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens amid the continuing instability along its eastern border.
Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory
News
Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau
Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a 24-year-old man and recovered a Dane gun following a report of gunshots in the DTV general area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when troops deployed at DTV responded to reports of gunshots in the area.
According to military sources, the troops arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Emmanuel Daniel, 24, who was found in possession of one Dane gun.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to have fired the shots while hunting in the area.
The suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
The arrest followed the prompt response of troops to reports of gunfire as security forces continue efforts to maintain peace and security across communities in Plateau State.
Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau
News
GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence
GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence
By Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General W.M. Dangana, has urged the Irigwe community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence in resolving differences and restoring lasting peace.
Dangana made the call on Friday, August 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement held at Miango community in Bassa LGA.
The engagement was attended by the Chief of Staff and Commander, Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, the entire Irigwe leadership and other stakeholders.
During the meeting, participants discussed critical security issues affecting the community and measures required to address the challenges and prevent further escalation of tensions.
The GOC emphasized the importance of dialogue as a means of resolving differences, urging the stakeholders to pursue peaceful solutions to issues affecting the community.
He also called on the Irigwe leadership and residents to promote peaceful coexistence, stressing the need for collective efforts towards restoring lasting peace in the community and Plateau State at large.
The engagement further illustrates the importance of cooperation between the security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities in addressing security challenges and strengthening peace-building efforts.
The meeting was hitch-free.
GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence
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