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Apologize In 24 Hours Or Face Mass Protest – NANS Threatens Ogun Deputy Governor

Published

4 hours ago

Jan 16, 2025.

NANS demands Ogun Deputy Governor apologize over protest clash.
Students allege convoy shot at peaceful MAPOLY protesters.
Ultimatum issued: Apologize in 24 hours or face protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Committee (JCC), has called for an unreserved apology from Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, following a confrontation between her security convoy and students protesting from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the students, led by NANS Ogun JCC Chairman, Adeyanju Francis, have also urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to launch an investigation into the alleged shooting of a student by security operatives attached to the deputy governor’s convoy during the protest on Wednesday.

During a press briefing held at the entrance of MAPOLY on Thursday, Adeyanju refuted claims made by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the Governor, describing the official statement as “false and misleading.”

According to Adeyanju, the students were en route to the Governor’s Office in Oke Mosan to present their grievances when they encountered the deputy governor’s convoy at Oke Ilewo.

“The students were peaceful, singing protest songs, and posed no threat. Instead of assessing the situation, the security operatives opened fire, grazing the arm of a NANS leader,” he stated.

Adeyanju described the actions of the convoy’s security operatives as a “trigger-happy” response, alleging that the convoy fled the scene after realizing their error, leaving the students in disarray.

“We have video evidence and eyewitness accounts to back our claims,” Adeyanju added, emphasizing that the students had no intention of attacking the convoy.

NANS has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the deputy governor to retract the statement blaming the students and issue an apology.

“Failure to comply will result in statewide mobilization of students across all six NANS zones to protest the injustice and unprovoked attack on peaceful protesters,” Adeyanju warned.

Contrarily, the deputy governor’s office claimed the students attacked her convoy. In a statement, Akinmade alleged that the protesting students, armed with sticks and other dangerous objects, blocked the convoy at the OPIC area of Oke Ilewo while the deputy governor was en route to an Armed Forces Remembrance Day event.

“The students became violent upon recognizing the deputy governor, attempting to demobilize her convoy despite efforts to calm them,” Akinmade stated.

The MAPOLY students were reportedly protesting increased tuition fees and the dissolution of their Students Union Government by the institution’s management.

NANS Ogun Deputy Governor

As tensions rise, the incident has sparked debate over the treatment of peaceful protesters and the accountability of government security personnel.