Secondary School Teachers in Taraba State have called off their strike, initially prompted by the tragic murder of one of their members, Bassey Sardauna. ASUSS State Secretary, Dr. Kazon Ishaku, announced the suspension, citing the government’s commitment to apprehend the culprit.
Acknowledging the governor’s responsiveness, he urged members to resume academic activities, emphasizing the need for enhanced security in schools.
The union also urged the state government to take responsibility for the education of the deceased teacher’s vulnerable children.
“We appreciate our members for their solidarity and its on this note we direct that every academic activities resume tomorrow. Monday.
“Additionally we are tasking the government to ensure all schools across the state have security presence to ensure both students and teachers are safe.
“We are also calling on the state government to take over the education of the deceased children who are currently vulnerable. “ part of the statement reads.
Meanwhile, In another report, Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 32-year-old James Melayi over the alleged kidnapping of a female teacher, Lillian Ofonsare, in the state.
The suspect and two others at large were alleged to have abducted the victim from Ikara Primary School, Ologbo, in Benin.
Chidi Nwabuzor, who is the spokesperson for the command, on Sunday, said the suspect was arrested by the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit of the command.
He said, “The command received a distress call that one Lillian Ofonsare, a school teacher, was abducted from the classroom when teaching her students at Ikara Primary School, Ologbo, by kidnappers who came in from the bush and took the victim to an unknown destination.
“Using credible intelligence, the police arrested one of the kidnappers, James Melayi, while others escaped. The suspect has confessed to the crime and will be charged in court soon.
Godwin contacted him for an operation, adding that he joined the operation because he needed money to repair his engine boat.”
The police statement also quoted the suspect as saying, “We went to the school and waited for her. As she was going home, we accosted her with a double barrel and cut-to-size gun and kidnapped her.
“We took her through the bush path to the Ologbo River and used a boat to carry her to a hideout so as to demand a N5 million ransom.
“I was arrested by soldiers and vigilantes when I went to buy food. My colleague called her parent and demanded a ransom of N5 million, and the soldier asked me to talk to my people, and I asked them to release the woman.”
He said his accomplices abandoned the woman and ran away while he was taken to Ologbo Police Station.