The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has condemned the arrest and detention of two leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) branch, over the ongoing strike by lecturers.
The organisation noted that Comrade Chinedu Egbuchu, Vice Chairman of ASUU-IMSU, and Comrade Nnamdi Chubo, the branch’s Investment Secretary, were arrested and detained by police officers in Owerri on August 12, 2026.
In a statement signed by its National Chairperson, Comrade Rufus Olusesan, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chinedu Bosah, CDWR said the arrests were connected to the lecturers’ ongoing industrial action.
The organisation condemned the arrests, describing them as an attack on workers’ rights, academic freedom and democracy.
“CDWR condemns in totality the arrest and detention of these union leaders for carrying out their legitimate duties,” the organisation said.
“It is a direct assault on democracy, academic freedom, and the fundamental right of workers to organise and to embark on strike and protest in defence of their rights and interest.”
CDWR argued that the government should address the issues behind the industrial action rather than resort to the use of security agencies.
“A strike is a constitutionally guaranteed and inalienable right, not a crime,” it said.
“To respond to the demands of lecturers with police brutality is to show contempt for education, for dialogue, and for the future of public universities in Imo State.”
According to the organisation, the IMSU lecturers embarked on the strike over unresolved issues relating to staff welfare, funding of public education and the sustainability of the university system.
It said the dispute affected not only lecturers but also students, parents and other stakeholders who depend on the public education system.
CDWR warned that treating academics and teachers as adversaries could have wider consequences for the country’s education sector.
“This is a dangerous step for the future of our country given the fact that no society can develop when it treats its teachers and intellectuals as enemies of the state,” it said.
The organisation commended the national, zonal and branch leadership of ASUU for intervening in the matter and securing the release of the two union leaders.
It also called on the Nigeria Police Force to end what it described as harassment of ASUU members.
CDWR urged the Imo State Government, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to engage the university lecturers and work towards resolving their grievances.
“We call on Mr Hope Uzodimma-led Imo State Government to demonstrate a serious and sincere commitment by urgently engaging ASUU-IMSU with a view to meeting their demands and improving the standard of education at all levels,” the organisation said.
CDWR expressed solidarity with ASUU-IMSU and other workers seeking better working conditions and urged students, parents, civil society organisations and labour unions to support the lecturers’ demands.
It warned about the broader implications of the dispute, saying: “An attack on ASUU is an attack on education. An attack on education is an attack on the future of our children.”
