By HeapNews
The Ogun State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC), has refuted claims that students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) attacked the convoy of Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele during a peaceful protest in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference at the MAPOLY campus on Thursday, NANS-JCC Chairman, Francis Adeyanju, called for an independent investigation into the incident and demanded an apology from the deputy governor for labeling students as hooligans.
Adeyanju emphasized that the protest was closely monitored by security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Security (DSS), to prevent any disruptions by outsiders. He criticized the deputy governor’s office for what he described as a “false narrative” aimed at discrediting the students.
“Contrary to claims by the office of the deputy governor that peaceful protesters attacked her convoy with cudgels and dangerous weapons, it was her security operatives who opened fire on the students,” Adeyanju said.
He added, “Students in Ogun are neither hooligans nor touts. We have video evidence and eyewitness accounts to prove that the convoy was not obstructed during the protest. Instead, the deputy governor’s security details acted in a merciless and inhumane manner by firing live ammunition at unarmed students.”
Adeyanju also accused the deputy governor of insensitivity, saying, “It is a pity that a leader who should show empathy to students aggravated an already precarious situation by making baseless allegations.”
The NANS-JCC has demanded a public apology and retraction of the statement by the deputy governor within 24 hours. “Failure to comply will force us to mobilize students across the six zones of NANS for a mass protest against this injustice and unprovoked attack on peaceful demonstrators,” Adeyanju warned.
The association reiterated its commitment to non-violence and peaceful dialogue, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to initiate an independent probe into the incident to uncover the truth.
The deputy governor’s office has yet to respond to these allegations at the time of this report.