Mr. Chris Olamiju, the Deputy Registrar of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Akoka, Lagos, has been taken by the Department of State Services (DSS).
This happened after he led a protest against the college’s Provost, Dr. Ademola Azeez.
The protest, which started on May 27, was by staff members who wanted Dr. Azeez to end his time as Provost. They believed his extended stay in office broke the college rules.
Early on Thursday, around 3:00 am, DSS officials took Mr. Olamiju from his home. During this time, his family was also hurt, and their documents, phones, and laptops were taken.
The staff had locked Dr. Azeez’s office on May 27, stating his term ended on May 26. They followed the new rules signed by President Bola Tinubu.
However, Dr. Azeez said he started his second term in May 2023, before the new rules became law in June 2023 hence, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, had asked Dr. Azeez to continue his duties.
In a meeting in Abuja, it was agreed that the key to Dr. Azeez’s office would be given to the Chairman of the new governing council of the college.
Following the DSS action, a statement said, “A very disturbing report was sent out around 3:00 am of today, Thursday, 11th July 2024 that a Deputy Registrar and one of the prominent leaders of the protest actions, Mr Chris Olamiju, was violently brutalised and abducted from his residence at FCET, Akoka Senior Staff Quarters, Yaba, Lagos, in a Gestapo-style operation by operatives of DSS.
“The generality of Staff of FCET have been on peaceful protests for the past five weeks. The peaceful protests are the sequel to multiple grievous allegations of administrative and financial infractions against the Provost (Dr Wahab Ademola Azeez).”
The statement called for Mr. Olamiju’s quick and unconditional release. It warned that if this demand is not met, the staff will go on a full strike, which might spread to other colleges in Nigeria.
