Kehinde Fajobi
Following a violent confrontation between students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and security operatives from the convoy of Ogun State’s Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, student leaders have demanded an apology.
The clash occurred on Wednesday when students, protesting an increase in school fees and the dissolution of the Students Union Government, were marching towards the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta. The incident took place near the OPIC area of Oke Ilewo.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Francis Adeyanju, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Committee, called for an investigation into the alleged shooting of students by the security operatives.
He dismissed claims made by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, who suggested the students attacked the convoy.
Adeyanju countered, stating that the students were not violent and did not approach the deputy governor’s convoy with weapons.
He clarified, “The students, who were on their way to the Governor’s Office, met the convoy of the deputy governor at Oke Ilewo and never surged towards her.”
Instead, the students were chanting peaceful Aluta songs when security operatives in the convoy opened fire. Adeyanju continued, “The show of love and respect for the deputy governor by the students was misconstrued by the overzealous and trigger-happy security in her convoy.”
He further explained that one of the first shots fired grazed the arm of a NANS leader, and while the convoy made a quick U-turn, gunshots continued.
“It was the God Almighty who protected the students from lethal assault by these security operatives,” he added.
Adeyanju also revealed that video evidence and eyewitness testimonies support their version of events.
He noted, “Some of the vehicles in the convoy were damaged as they hit one another when the drivers were trying to make a detour after the security details fired volleys of live bullets at the students.”
The student leader demanded an unreserved apology from the deputy governor and the retraction of false claims made by her office.
“We hereby, demand an apology from the deputy governor as well as retraction of falsehood hewn against the NANS, by her office, within 24 hours,” Adeyanju said.
He warned that failure to meet these demands would lead to widespread student protests across Ogun State.
“Failure to comply with our demands, the NANS in Ogun State will mobilize en masse, students across the six zones of the apex student body and march in protest against the injustice, unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on students on peaceful protest, by the convoy of the deputy governor,” he concluded.