By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, narrowly escaped an attempted attack on Wednesday during a violent protest by students in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The incident occurred while the deputy governor’s convoy was en route to the 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala, Abeokuta, to represent Governor Dapo Abiodun at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
It was gathered that some Aggrieved students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta were seen on the streets following the dissolution of the union government by the management .
Sources close to the incident revealed that the protests, which began earlier in the week over the dissolution of the student union government and a hike in school fees, reached a boiling point as students took to the streets of Panseke, Oke-Olewo, Kuto, and Oke-Mosan.
Armed with sticks and other dangerous objects, the protesters blocked the convoy’s route and refused attempts by security forces to disperse them.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Governor’s office, “Efforts by the security operatives and police officers present to convince the students to allow the convoy to pass were unsuccessful.
The situation intensified when the students recognised the deputy governor, leading to further agitation.”
The statement further confirmed that in the ensuing chaos, several vehicles in the convoy were damaged and members of the security detail sustained injuries while trying to quell the unrest.
While the protest disrupted traffic flow in the city, causing gridlock along major roads, the deputy governor’s office emphasized that she later proceeded to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day event after the situation de-escalated.
Contrary to initial reports suggesting that the deputy governor had been harmed, the statement clarified that she was safe, and her convoy continued its journey once the protest was subdued.
The Ogun State Government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the students’ demands, but the Deputy Governor’s office called for peaceful demonstrations and urged all parties involved to embrace dialogue over violence.