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.
