The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Committee, has demanded an apology from Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, following an alleged clash between her security convoy and protesting students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta.
The Chairman of NANS Ogun JCC, Adeyanju Francis, urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to investigate the reported shooting of students by security operatives attached to the deputy governor’s convoy during the protest on Wednesday.
During a press briefing held at the school’s entrance on Thursday, Adeyanju criticized a statement released by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, describing it as false and misleading.
He dismissed claims that the students, who were protesting peacefully, attacked the deputy governor’s convoy, calling the accusations “preposterous” and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the students’ image.
Students’ Account of the Incident
According to Adeyanju, the students were on their way to the Governor’s Office in Oke Mosan to present their grievances when they encountered the deputy governor’s convoy at Oke Ilewo.
He asserted that the students, singing and chanting protest songs, were peaceful and posed no threat.
Adeyanju claimed that rather than assessing the situation, the security operatives in the convoy opened fire, injuring a NANS leader.
“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,” Adeyanju narrated.
Demand for Apology
NANS has given the deputy governor 24 hours to issue an unreserved apology and retract the alleged false narrative blaming the students for 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.
“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,” Adeyanju said.
The Deputy Governor’s Version
Contrarily, the deputy governor’s office claimed that the students attacked her convoy.
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday.
According to Akinmade’s statement, the incident occurred at the OPIC area in Oke Ilewo when the deputy governor was en route to an event marking the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The statement alleged that the protesting students, armed with sticks and other dangerous objects, blocked the convoy and became violent upon recognizing the deputy governor.
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.”
The MAPOLY students were reportedly protesting an increase in school fees and the dissolution of their Students Union Government by the school’s management.