ABEOKUTA– The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has refuted claims that the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele convoy was attacked during its protest on Wednesday.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday, the NANS Ogun JCC chairman, Comrade Adeyanju Francis described the said incident as unfortunate, one that would go down in history of student struggles in the state.
Adeyanju added that the peaceful protest which was well supervised by security agencies, was however turned on its head by trigger happy security personnels attached to the Deputy Governor when it shot at the students at the Oke Ilewo section.
“The Day will surely be a landmark in the history of student struggle in our dear state when students on a peaceful protest were fired at by the security operatives attached to the convoy of the deputy governor of Ogun State, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
“I’m even more saddened by the manners the media handlers of the Number Two citizen of our dear state spun the event and stood truth on its head. The scenario of what transpired was manipulated in a way that victims were coloured to be the oppressors.
“Instead of the innocent students who were shot at with live ammunition to be screaming blue murder, those responsible for the inglorious act changed the story from being the hunters to the hunted.
“It is indeed a pity that the deputy governor who is supposed to be a mother and show empathy to the oppressed students, decided to aggravate their precarious situation.
“Though, the media are awash with the false version of the event of what really happened yesterday (Wednesday), the NANS in Ogun State is here this morning to correct the erroneous picture painted by the office of the deputy governor”, he said
The student leader therefore said the protest over the astronomical increase of school fees and the illegal dissolution of the Students Union Government of the school by the management will continue until justice is achieved
“It is no news that the students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, embarked on a peaceful protest over the astronomical increase of school fees and the illegal dissolution of the Students Union Government of the school by the management
“Apparently dissatisfied by the arbitrary increase in the tuition fees, especially, the students trooped out to protest the draconian and insensitive decision by the school management. As law abiding citizens, the security agents, including the police and the Department of the State Services (DSS) were notified of the protest.
“In fact, the police provided the necessary cover to ensure the protest was not only peaceful and orderly, but to prevent it from being hijacked by the hoodlums. The protest which started at the gate of MAPOLY peacefully, was however, truncated and almost turned bloody by the convoy of the deputy governor, with staccato of gunshots around OPIC-Lalubu Road in Oke Ilewo Area of Abeokuta.
“Contrary to the claims by the office of the deputy governor that the peaceful protesters broke into her convoy and attacked her with cudgels and other dangerous weapons, it was indeed the security operatives attached to the convoy who opened fire on the students.
“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.
“In fact, 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, gun shots continued to rend the air. It was the God Almighty who protected the students from lethal assault by these security operatives.
“Meanwhile, the students were yet to come out of the delirious situation, when the news, concocted by the office of the deputy governor started to fly around that the protesting students blocked her convoy, attacked her and she barely escaped from lynched. What a laughable and puerile claim!
“Gentlemen of the press, one would wonder how the students who never had first-hand information of the itinerary of the deputy governor, would be able to plan the alleged attack. This is even particularly impossible as police convoys were monitoring the student protest.
“Anyways, to say that NANS in the state is surprised by the action of the deputy governor will be far from the truth. Like a proverbial witch, this is not the first time she will kill a child. We will recall how the convoy of the deputy killed a youth in Odogbolu LG Area during the campaigns of the 2023 general election.
“Gentlemen of the press, this press conference is to set the record straight and let the good people of Ogun State know that the protesting students did not, at any time, obstructed the convoy of Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, during the Wednesday protest in Abeokuta. Rather, it was her merciless and inhumane security details attached to her convoy who opened fire on the defenceless students.
“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 volley of live bullets at the students.
“To this end, NANS is calling on our amiable and indefatigable governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to order investigation into the matter in order to unravel the truth.
“In conclusion, we hereby, demand apology from the deputy governor as well as retraction of falsehood hewn against the NANS, by her office, within 24 hours.
“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.
“In addition, we shall not hesitate to declare the deputy governor persona non grata in all the campuses of tertiary institutions in the state, with a strict warning not to venture within the 50 metre radius of these campuses”, Adeyanju declares
