Just in: Dozens injured as varsity students clash with soldiers over assault

Students of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ijebu – Ode in Ogun State have clashed with suspected Nigerian soldiers over alleged assault on students of the institution.

It was learnt that the authorities of the institution has ordered for a shut down following the clash and injuring scores of students and civilians by the soldiers.

Congress gathered that students has been asked to vacate the campuses immediately following a protest over the alleged assault and arrest of some TASUED students by soldiers.

Source said, soldiers suspected to have from Sappers Barrack, Ilese on Thursday evening arrested some persons at a military check point close to Conoil Filling Station along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.

According to the source, the arrested students were taken to the barrack but moves by the Students Union Government (SUG) to free them led to the arrest of the SUG President, Rabiu Sodiq.

The source said the SUG president was taken to the barrack, which provoked the students to pour into the Sagamu – Ijebu – Ode – Ore expressway on Friday in protest over the detention of their colleagues.

“Armoured Personnel Carriers were deployed to the scene as the soldiers fired sporadically into the air to disperse the protesting students.

“Vehicular traffic was halted on both sides of the expressway, forcing a standstill for travellers on Friday morning.

“The University authorities, fearing the worst, asked the students to immediately vacate the campuses and called on their parents and guardians to make them comply with the directive” source said.

TASUED Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Public Relations Officer, Mrs Odubela Ayotunde, told The Nation: “The Senate of Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun, Ogun State at its emergency meeting has directed that all Students are to vacate the University’s Campuses immediately.

“Parents are thus advised to contact their wards and ensure they return home forthwith.”

Mrs Ayotunde explained that the decision was sequel to the arrest of some students at a military check point on Thursday, clarifying that the University Management did not at any time invite military personnel or security agencies into the campus.

She also maintained that no student was abducted from any of the University’s campuses or shot dead.

However, the SUG Senate President Moradeyo Ifedayo Johnson and Chief Judge Ayobami Kareem alleged soldiers invaded the students’ community and manhandled many of them.

“TASUEDITES who are going by their legitimate and calm businesses were cornered at CONOIL Filling Station, the Express Road that leads to the University second gate.

“They were arrested and assaulted for no reason. To make things worst, the soldiers asked students to bail themselves up with N50, 000 and those who could not do that were detained and taken away (most likely to the barrack).

“As responsible and responsive students’ union officers, upon hearing the ugly development, we swung into action and make frantic efforts to mediate and rescue students from this injustice and assault cum fraudulent exploitation.

“This calm and ideal effort by the students’ union was met with strong resistance by the military men, who assaulted the Students’ Union President.

“The Senate President was also severely injured and many comrades were beaten, whipped and abducted by the military men.

“The Students’ Union abhor this act in its totality, very displeased and frown at the reaction of the custodian of the university to the matter when contacted,” Moradeyo added.

(The Nation)