The Students’ Union Government of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) has alleged that operatives of the Nigerian Police Force assaulted their leaders and shot at unarmed students during a demonstration at the Oru-Ijebu Police Station in Ogun State.
The Ogun State Police Command refuted the claims in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, late Saturday night, asserting that no student was held after the alleged altercation at the Oru-Ijebu Police Division.
On Sunday, a statement from the students’ union, co-signed by SUG President Kehinde Bamigbose and General Secretary Olajire Emmanuel, indicated that the incident arose after reports surfaced about the arrest of certain students under “ambiguous and dubious” circumstances, leading the SUG Legal Director to go to the station to check on the matter.
“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 further stated 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 added 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.
Detailing the aftermath, the student body 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 in the hand; several students were brutalized and assaulted; multiple students were unlawfully arrested; panic and chaos were deliberately instigated through continuous gunfire,” it stated.
The union also claimed that bystanders were affected.
“Innocent bystanders and students were subjected to fear, intimidation, and physical harm,” it added.
The union described the event as an abuse of authority, saying 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,” according to the report.
The union released a list of demands, which included an urgent investigation, punishment of the cops involved, medical treatment and compensation for injured students, and the unconditional release of those reportedly arrested.
The news comes as both the police and the students provide differing descriptions of the events surrounding the altercation at the Oru-Ijebu division.
