The Olabisi Onabanjo University’s Students’ Union Government has accused officers of the Nigerian Police Force of assaulting their leaders and firing shots at unarmed students during a protest at the Oru-Ijebu Police Station in Ogun State.
The Ogun State Police Command had denied the allegations in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, late Saturday night, saying no student was detained following the reported confrontation at the Oru-Ijebu Police Division.
However, in a statement by the students’ union on Sunday, co-signed by the SUG President, Kehinde Bamigbose, and General Secretary, Olajire Emmanuel, the incident began after reports emerged that some students had been arrested under “unclear and questionable” circumstances, prompting the SUG Legal Director to visit the station to verify the situation.
“In a bid to ensure due process and protect the rights of our students, the OOUSUG Legal Director proceeded to the station to ascertain the situation and engage the officers in a lawful and civil manner.
“Shockingly, while carrying out his legitimate duty, our legal director was subjected to degrading treatment — he was physically assaulted, kicked, and violently manhandled, including being choked by officers of the Nigerian Police Force,” the statement partly read.
It added that another student present at the station was also assaulted, as they frowned at the unprofessional acts by the law enforcement agency.
“Even more disturbing, a student who accompanied him was slapped by officers during the encounter. These acts represent a gross violation of human dignity, professional ethics, and the rule of law,” the union said.
The statement further explained that the Students’ Union President, alongside other leaders, later arrived at the station in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
“Upon receiving this disturbing update, the OOUSUG President, accompanied by other student leaders, arrived at the station to peacefully intervene and de-escalate the situation,” it said.
Police assaulted our leader, opened fire on us, Ogun students allege
Detailing the aftermath, the union alleged that the police responded with force, claiming that several students were injured and arrested during the incident.
“Rather than engage constructively, the police officers resorted to reckless violence. Without justification, they opened fire on unarmed students.
“In the course of this unwarranted aggression, a student was shot on the hand; several students were brutalised and assaulted; multiple students were unlawfully arrested; panic and chaos were deliberately instigated through continuous gunfire,” it stated.
The union also alleged that bystanders were affected.
“Innocent bystanders and students were subjected to fear, intimidation, and physical harm,” it added.
Describing the incident as an abuse of power, the union said it would not tolerate intimidation or violence against students.
“We find it utterly unacceptable that officers entrusted with maintaining law and order would instead become agents of terror against the very citizens they are meant to protect,” it said.
The union issued a list of demands, including an immediate investigation, prosecution of officers involved, medical treatment and compensation for injured students, and the unconditional release of those allegedly detained.
The development comes amid conflicting accounts from both the police and the students over the circumstances surrounding the clash at the Oru-Ijebu division.
(Punch)
