Ogun University Students, Police Clash Over Alleged Detention and Violence
The Students Union Government (SUG) of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has entered into a heated disagreement with the state police command following a confrontation at the Oru-Ijebu Police Division. The incident, which occurred last Saturday, March 28, 2026, has sparked accusations from both sides, with students claiming unlawful detention and police brutality, while authorities deny any wrongdoing.
Police Deny Student Detention Claims
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, no students were detained at the Oru-Ijebu Police Division on the day in question. Babaseyi stated that a group of students mobilized to the station, alleging that their colleagues were in custody, but the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) confirmed no such detentions. He described how the students became agitated, breached the station gate, and threw stones and bottles, threatening police personnel and property. Reinforcement was deployed to disperse the crowd, and normalcy has since been restored, according to the police account.
SUG Accuses Police of Unprofessional Conduct
In a swift response, the SUG issued a statement co-signed by President Kehinde Bamigbose and General Secretary Olajire Emmanuel, accusing the police of attacking student leaders and firing at unarmed protesters. The union asserted that students approached the station after hearing that some colleagues were arrested under unclear and questionable circumstances. The SUG Legal Director visited the station to investigate, but was allegedly physically assaulted, kicked, and violently manhandled by officers. A student accompanying the director was also slapped during the encounter.
Escalation to Violence and Injuries
The SUG further claimed that when the president and other student leaders intervened, police officers resorted to reckless violence without justification. They opened fire on unarmed students, resulting in one student being shot in the hand, others brutalized and assaulted, and multiple students unlawfully arrested. The union described continuous gunfire that instigated panic and chaos, subjecting innocent bystanders and students to fear, intimidation, and physical harm. They condemned the incident as an abuse of power and a violation of human dignity, professional ethics, and the rule of law.
Calls for Investigation and Justice
The Students Union Government has called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of the officers involved in the incident. They also demand medical treatment and compensation for injured students, as well as the release of any detained students. The union emphasized that it is unacceptable for officers entrusted with maintaining law and order to become agents of terror against the citizens they are meant to protect. This clash highlights ongoing tensions between student bodies and security forces in Nigeria, raising concerns about police conduct and student rights in academic settings.
