The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State has strongly denied the claims made by the state’s deputy governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, about an alleged attack on her convoy by students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) during a protest in Abeokuta on January 15, 2025. According to NANS, the reality of the situation was far different from the version presented by the deputy governor’s office, accusing her security personnel of resorting to gunfire against peaceful students.
In a press conference held on Thursday, January 16, at the entrance of MAPOLY, Adeyanju Francis, the NANS Ogun Joint Campus Committee chairman, lambasted the deputy governor’s office for what he termed a “spurious and false” narrative. Francis asserted that the students had been protesting peacefully over the hike in school fees and the dissolution of their Student Union Government (SUG), but were met with unwarranted violence when the deputy governor’s convoy crossed paths with them.
He said, “The incident will surely be a landmark in the history of student struggle in our dear state when students on a peaceful protest were fired at by the security operatives attached to the convoy of the deputy governor of Ogun State, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
“I’m even more saddened by the manner the media handlers of the Number Two citizen of our dear state spun the event and stood the truth on its head. The scenario of what transpired was manipulated in a way that victims were coloured to be the oppressors.
“Instead of the innocent students who were shot at with live ammunition screaming blue murder, those responsible for the inglorious act changed the story from being the hunters to the hunted.
“It is indeed a pity that the deputy governor, who is supposed to be a mother and show empathy to the oppressed students, decided to aggravate their precarious situation.
“Though the media were awash with the false version of the event of what really happened yesterday (Wednesday), the NANS in Ogun State is here this morning to correct the erroneous picture painted by the office of the deputy governor.
The controversy erupted after a statement from the Ogun State Deputy Governor’s office on Wednesday described the protest as violent, with students allegedly blocking the convoy and attacking it with cudgels and other dangerous weapons. The statement further claimed that several vehicles in the convoy were damaged in the process, prompting an immediate response from security personnel to disperse the crowd.
However, NANS has rejected these assertions. According to Francis, the students were merely chanting songs and holding placards as they made their way to the Governor’s Office to voice their concerns. He emphasized that there was no attack on the convoy, but rather, it was the security officers who initiated violence against the students.
The NANS official condemned the deputy governor’s office for what he described as an “absurd” attempt to distort the narrative and divert attention from the real issue—the attack on innocent students.
He said, “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 realised their folly, however, the convoy quickly made a U-turn. Nevertheless, gunshots continued to rend the air. It was God Almighty who protected the students from the lethal assault by these security operatives.
“Meanwhile, the students were yet to come out of the delirious situation when the news, concocted by the office of the deputy governor, started to fly around that the protesting students blocked her convoy, attacked her, and she barely escaped from being lynched. What a laughable and puerile claim!”
A Peaceful Protest Turned Violent
The protest, organized by the MAPOLY students, had been peaceful until the confrontation with the deputy governor’s convoy. The students were protesting the recent increase in tuition fees, which they described as an “astronomical and unjust” hike. They also raised concerns over the illegal dissolution of the Students’ Union Government, which they claimed was a direct violation of their rights.
According to Francis, the students had informed security forces, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), about the protest, and both agencies were present to ensure it remained peaceful. “The security agents were meant to provide cover and ensure the protest was orderly. But instead, the deputy governor’s security personnel turned it into a nightmare,” Francis recounted.
The protest was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration at the MAPOLY gate, but as the students approached the OPIC-Oke Ilewo road, the situation escalated dramatically. Francis explained that when the convoy came into view, the students responded by chanting songs, signaling their presence and their dissatisfaction with the state’s handling of their plight. But rather than engaging with the students, security operatives fired on the group.
“The students were completely unarmed and posed no threat. It was a peaceful protest, but what transpired was an unprovoked attack by the security personnel who thought they could silence the voice of dissent with bullets,” Francis said.
A Call for Justice
In response to the attack, NANS has called on Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to launch an investigation into the incident. The student body is demanding accountability for the excessive use of force and the false accusations leveled against the students.
“We are calling on the governor to set up an independent inquiry into the incident. We need justice for the students who were shot at while peacefully protesting,” Francis urged. He further emphasized that NANS would take action if their demands were not met.
“Failure to retract the false statement and apologize within 24 hours will force us to take drastic action. We will mobilize students across the state and even the entire country to protest this injustice,” Francis warned.
