ASUSS Embarks on Indefinite Strike in Taraba to Protest Killing of Teacher by Student

Wole Ayodele in  Jalingo

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Taraba State Chapter has declared an indefinite strike to protest the killing of Mr. Bassey Sardauna Nkuphee of Government Day Secondary School (Model), Jalingo, by one of his students.

Mr. Nkuphee was killed yesterday afternoon after close of work by a yet to be identified former student of the school who, in company of his friends, pulled him out of the Keke NAPEP he boarded and stabbed him severely.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of ASUSS in the state, Comrade Sule Abasu, and made available to journalists in Jalingo yesterday, the union said they will not return to the classrooms until justice is served to its slain member.

“Fellow comrades, on a very sad note we received shocking news of the demise of our colleague who was stabbed to death. This is an inhuman act meted to the most peaceful group of persons and organisation.

“Teachers are known for their contributions to the development of our society. You are to note that an injury to one, is an injury to all of us.

“We hereby register our displeasure over this barbaric devilish act where a teacher becomes a prey to his students and other hoodlums in the society.

“We, therefore, call on you to suspend academic activities in all schools across the state, until this issue is addressed so that our duty is carried out without encumbrance.”

Giving an update of the tragic incident in a statement, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, stated that “Mr. Nkuphee came to school this morning with the rest of his fellow teachers to do his work.  During the inspection, he was assigned to organise one of the four groups of students near the school gate before the inspectors arrived. 

“A former student of the school arrived with a friend and walked through the lined-up students waiting for inspection.

The deceased asked why he walked through the students instead of passing behind them. While this ex-student made his way back to follow as the deceased teacher had directed, his friend asked why he should obey and do what the deceased said.  From there commotion started and the deceased hit one of the two of them with a stick.

“The former student came to the school because he wanted one of his teachers to sign his Airforce application form.  His father made a call earlier asking for assistance for his son from one of the teachers.

“When the incident got to the knowledge of the school authority, they quickly called for the local vigilante in the area to keep watch over the school until closing time. After some time of being in the school, the vigilante left. Shortly before closing time, the deceased said he wanted to leave but he learned the boys were outside. One of the Vice Principals made several calls to get the vigilante back but did not get a response. Some teachers decided to go with the deceased to take Keke home.  As soon as he got on the Keke, they made their way back to school not knowing the boys were hiding around the area.

“The boys attacked and stabbed him. When the news got to the school, some of them quickly rushed to the emergency unit in FMC where they found their colleague in a pool of his blood.  Within a short while, they were told their colleague had passed away. Isn’t it awful and heartbreaking? What a waste of precious life!”

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and teachers in the state over the death of their colleague just as he directs a full investigation into the incident.

In a statement signed by Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to the governor, Governor Kefas strongly condemned the action of the student and said a thorough investigation would be carried out. 

The governor, who described the incident as regrettable, maintained that no teacher ought to lose his or her life while imparting knowledge decried the use of drugs by some youths and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.