“Deputy Governor’s Security Shot At Us” — MAPOLY Students Deny Attacking Convoy, Demand Apology

Following the violent clash between students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and security operatives attached to the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, student leaders have demanded an apology from the deputy governor.

The students had hit the streets of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Wednesday to protest against the increase of school fees and the dissolution of the Students Union Government.

They were reportedly marching to the Governor’s Office when the clash happened in the OPIC area of Oke Ilewo.

However, during a press briefing on Thursday, Francis Adeyanju, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun Joint Campus Committee, asked the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to investigate the alleged shooting of protesting students by the security operatives.

Adeyanju said the claim by the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, that the students attacked the convoy was inaccurate and false.

He said Akinmade’s statement on the incident was a deliberate attempt to give the students a bad name.

Contrary to the claim that the protesting students broke into the Deputy Governor’s convoy and attacked her with cudgels and other dangerous weapons, the student leader said it was the security operatives attached to the convoy that opened fire on the students.

Adeyanju said, “The students, who were on their way to the Governor’s Office in Oke Mosan, to present their grievances, met the convoy of the deputy governor at Oke Ilewo and never surged towards her.

“Rather, they were singing and chanting the Aluta songs to let the deputy governor also know their predicament.

“Alas! 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, who instead of observing the situation properly, decided to open fire on the defenceless students.

“The first shot fired grazed the arm of a NANS leader, while others scampered for safety.

“Having realized their folly, however, the convoy quickly made a U-turn. Nevertheless, gunshots continued to rend the air. It was the God Almighty who protected the students from lethal assault by these security operatives.

“We have video evidence and tell-tale signs to back our assertions. Onlookers who witnessed the event at Oke Ilewo yesterday can also testify to this.

“In fact, 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.”

On behalf of his fellow students, Adeyanju demanded an unreserved apology from the deputy governor and a retraction of the alleged falsehood peddled against the students over the incident.

“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.”

According to him, failure to comply with their demands would lead to massive student protests in the 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 said.

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