The Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) condemns in totality, the un-deserving, gruesome assault, dastard and barbaric treatment meted on the person and integrity of Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru,
following the political tension that erupted in Adamawa State recently. Professor Zuru while on national assignment as an INEC National Commissioner deployed to Adamawa for the gubernatorial re-run election that was held on 15th April 2023 was seen in a viral video, manhandled by some unscrupulous elements simply for his refusal to take part in the illegal declaration by the suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari. As a former President and Chairman of the 3rd Governing Council of ICCON, we can attest and vouch for the character of Professor Zuru to be a humble gentleman who always stands for truth and honesty and does not in any way, deserve to be treated in such a manner by his attackers while on a national assignment.
This has inflicted pain not just on the elder statesman and his family but also on his colleagues in academia and professional associates. For a man of his stature who served as Vice Chancellor at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Kebbi State University as well as Chairman Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, rather than earn national awards for his contributions to nation-building, Prof. Zuru was subjected to such a barbaric act.
According to a statement made available to the SECURITY MONITOR in Abuja which was signed by Prof. Fanna Inna Abdulrahman, Chairman of Governing Council(ICCON), the institute is of the opinion that the same way INEC is strongly calling for the prosecution of the suspended REC, the same measure of zeal should be deployed in bringing the perpetrators to book so as to bring succor to Prof. Zuru and entire family for the trauma they have gone through in the past few days. It is on this premise that we as the regulatory body for chemistry practice in Nigeria, join other well-meaning Nigerians to call on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to without further delay, arrest, prosecute and bring all the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to others and as well, compensate Professor Zuru for the humiliation he received without any wrongdoing while performing a national assignment. While we wish him a quick recovery and pray for his entire family to bear the unfortunate incident, we also urge them to see it as an act of God that can happen to anybody
