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The Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun Joint Campus Committee, Adeyanju Francis on Thursday urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to investigate the reported shooting of the protesting students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, on Wednesday by the security operatives attached to the convoy of Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
The student leaders also sought an apology from the deputy governor within the next 24 hours.
Adeyanju, in a press briefing on Thursday held by the gate of the school, said that the claim by the statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, over the incident was inaccurate and utter lies.
The students’ leader said saying that the students on peaceful protest attacked the convoy of the deputy governor was “preposterous and a deliberate attempt to give the dog a bad name to hang it”
He said that 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.
Explaining what happened, 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.
“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, 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”.
The student’s body has however demanded an unreserved apology from the deputy governor within the next 24 hours as well as the alleged falsehood hurled at the students over the incident.
The students while rejecting the garb of violence forced on them said “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.
“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.
The students who were said to have embarked on a protest over the increase of school fees and the dissolution of the Students Union Government of the school by the management were reported to have allegedly attacked the convoy of the Deputy Governor at OPIC area, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta on Wednesday.
The Special Adviser to the governor Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday.
Akinmade said that the Deputy governor was on her way to represent the governor at the reception marking this year’s 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala Abeokuta when the students intercepted the convoy at OPIC area, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.
He explained that “The irate protesting MAPOLY students, were armed with Sticks and other dangerous projectiles.
“All efforts to allow the convoy pass proved abortive as immediately the students realized it was the Deputy Governor, they became even more restive and rushed to attack her convoy to demobilise it, despite her security operatives as well as other police officers on grounds persuasion to stay calm and allow the convoy pass”
