Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic have given Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, 24 hours to issue an apology following an altercation between her security operatives and student protesters in Abeokuta.
The students had taken to the streets on Wednesday to protest against a hike in school fees and the dissolution of the Students Union Government.
While on their way to the Governor’s Office, the incident occurred near the OPIC area in Oke Ilewo.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Ogun Joint Campus Committee, Francis Adeyanju, condemned the actions of the security personnel and called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to investigate the alleged shooting of students by the deputy governor’s convoy.
Adeyanju refuted claims by Kayode Akinmade, the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, that the students attacked the convoy with dangerous weapons.
He stated, “The narrative presented by the governor’s office is false and an attempt to discredit the students. The protesters were peacefully chanting solidarity songs to express their grievances when the security operatives in the convoy opened fire on them without provocation.”
Adeyanju disclosed that a student leader was injured by gunfire, while others fled for safety. He also noted that some vehicles in the convoy sustained damage as drivers hurriedly tried to make a U-turn after the shooting began.
“We have video evidence and eyewitness accounts to support our claims,” he said. “The students showed no hostility; they simply wanted their voices heard. However, the overzealous security operatives acted recklessly.”
The student leader demanded an immediate apology from the deputy governor and a retraction of the alleged false claims against the protesters.
“If the deputy governor fails to apologize and retract the misinformation within 24 hours, we will mobilize students across Ogun State and beyond for a mass protest against this injustice and the unprovoked attack on peaceful protesters,” Adeyanju warned.
He emphasized that the students remain committed to their cause and will not tolerate any attempts to silence their legitimate demands.
