Students of Tai Solarin University of Education have protested over the arrest of their colleagues, including the Students’ Union president.
During the protest, some soldiers were seen in armoured tanks and Hilux vehicles.
The students chanted anti-oppression songs and dared the soldiers to “kill” them.
On Friday, Prof. Banjo confirmed the arrests of some students, saying he didn’t know why the students were detained by the soldiers.
Sodiq Ridwan, the President of the Students Union Government in TASUED, was arrested yesterday, according to local media.
“I’m still at the barracks this morning,” the Vice-Chancellor told reporters. “I just want to see those students who were arrested.” So, as soon as I see them, I’ll call you back and give you all of the details.
“We closed the office normally without incident yesterday; there was no security issue on campus.” We haven’t had any problems with the students. As a result, we didn’t learn about the soldiers arresting some of the students until later in the day.
“We’ve come to the barracks to figure out what happened.” We are not relying on hearsay – what students have said and what others have said. We’ve come to find out what happened from the military officers. We would be able to intervene in the situation after listening to them. Those detained are still serving in the military. We’re working to have them released.”
Soldiers allegedly stopped some students driving in their cars to check their phones, resulting in an altercation on Thursday between the students and the military men.
As the situation became more heated, the SUG President arrived on the scene to intervene, but he was arrested along with other students.
Students took to the streets on Friday morning to protest what they called the “illegal arrest and detention” of their classmates.
Two armored personnel carriers are currently stationed at the Conoil filling station, which is located along the Benin Ore highway, where the students are demonstrating.
Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident.
Oyeyemi said he couldn’t go into detail about what led to the students’ arrests at the moment, but that police officers have been dispatched to prevent a breakdown in law and order.