Air Force men’s invasion: Ex-students spit fire as UNIOSUN sets up 6-man probe panel

Authorities of the University of Osun (UNIOSUN) have instituted a six-man committee to investigate the invasion and brutalisation of students and lecturers at the Ipetu-Ijesha campus of the institution by men of the Air Force Institute of Safety in the community.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the committee, which has seven days for the assignment, will be presided by the deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration, Professor Janet Olubukola Olaitan, with the Alumni President, Mr Owolabi Bibitayo, as a member.

Already, the authorities have deployed two GSM numbers, apart from an email, that all stakeholders, especially students and other concerned individuals and groups with useful information that could assist the panel in its assignment could call.

In the meantime, the Alumni Association of the institution has vowed to resist what it called repression of innocent students and other citizens by uniformed men.

“We will not tolerate brigands acting like peacemakers in our institution and uniformed men whose stock in trade is only to harass and intimidate unarmed and innocent citizens,” the association declared in a statement obtained by Sunday Tribune last night.

No fewer than five students were brutalised during two successive invasions of the campus by the Air Force military personnel, forcing the school authorities to close down the campus until further notice.

Authorities of the air Force have also set up a committee to investigate the incidents with a view to disciplining erring officers over the incident that has provoked sustained public anger and condemnation.

The setting of the separate committees came amid reports of anxiety among natives of Ijebu-Ijesha, following calls for the relocation of the campus from the community because of the recurring showdown by the Air Force personnel with UNIOSUN students.

The natives are worried that such relocation could slow down the pace of development in Ijebu-Ijesha.

The constitution of investigative panel by the university was confirmed by the office of the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the UNIOSUN Alumni Association, through the statement obtained by Sunday Tribune.

Part of the statement read: “We are, therefore, happy to announce that a six-man Committee has been set-up by the University authorities to look into the matter.

“The Alumni President, Mr Owolabi Bibitayo has been selected as a member of the committee which is chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration, Professor Janet Olubukola Olaitan.

“The committee has been given a week to come up with its report on the remote and immediate causes of the sad event and make useful recommendations. It is believed the honourable committee will do a thorough job in the hope of giving closure to all affected.”

Meanwhile, members of the association have strongly condemned the activities the Air Force personnel, describing the incidents as shameless acts of recklessness and unruliness committed at the Ipetu-Ijesa Campus of our great institution.

The members promised to collaborate with all relevant authorities to make sure that those behind the dastardly acts were brought to book.

“We will not tolerate brigands acting like peacemakers in our institution and uniformed men whose stock in trade is only to harass and intimidate unarmed and innocent citizens.

‘We, therefore, call on the relevant authorities to act on this issue as quickly as possible and serve justice to all injured parties.”

They said it would continue to ensure that the interests of all its members and would-be members were pursued at all times while also protecting them from all forms of state repression.

While promising to provide updates as soon as the Committee submitted its report, the association called on the students of the campus and indeed all concerned to “send useful information by email or call us on 08038032278 or 08181284595 for any information that would assist us in furthering the cause of justice.’

They explained that the association had been inundated with enquiries by many concerned individuals, groups and members about the ugly incidents, but had to take its time to “hear from major stakeholders within the College, coupled with the need to consult widely, especially with the University Management on the necessary steps to take to avoid such unfortunate situation in the future.”