The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council (JCC) Ondo Axis has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State to identify and hold accountable the security operatives who reportedly assaulted some students in the state.
According to a statement signed by NANS JCC Ondo General Secretary, Oluwanishola Ajibola, and provided to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, the incident occurred when the President of the student union government of the institution, Boladale Oyindamola, and other executive members of the union were preparing to welcome the Governor of Ondo State to the campus.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council (JCC) Ondo Axis strongly condemns the brutal assault on students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), by security operatives accompanying the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”
“This shocking incident occurred when the Student Union President of the institution, Boladale Oyindamola, popularly known as MANDELA, along with his executive members, were trying to welcome the Governor to their campus.
“Mandela and his team were also planning to seize the opportunity to remind the Governor of his recent approval for the dualization of roads on campus. However, as they moved to greet and address the Governor, they were met with hostility. Security operatives prevented them from approaching the Governor and, in an alarming turn of events, the students were tear-gassed and viciously beaten. Chaos erupted when some of the students attempted to defend their colleagues, leading to further violence, with gunshots reportedly fired by the security personnel.
“NANS JCC Ondo Axis has expressed its deep disappointment and anger over this blatant attack on student leaders and peaceful students. “It is deeply troubling that students, in their peaceful attempt to engage with the Governor on issues of concern, were met with such violence and hostility,” said the leadership of NANS JCC Ondo Axis. “We strongly condemn this act and demand immediate justice for the students who were mistreated.”
“The association is demanding that Governor Aiyedatiwa issue a public apology to the students of AAUA and take immediate steps to hold the security personnel involved accountable for their actions. NANS JCC Ondo Axis is also calling for an urgent dialogue between the state government and the student leadership to address the pressing issues on campus, including the approved but yet-to-be-implemented road dualization project.
“NANS JCC Ondo Axis further warns that if the Ondo State government fails to address this incident swiftly and fairly, the association will not hesitate to mobilize students across the state to demand justice.
“We will not allow the voices of students to be silenced by violence and intimidation. If this matter is not resolved, we will be left with no choice but to take decisive action to ensure that justice prevails and the dignity of students is upheld
“NANS JCC Ondo Axis stands in solidarity with the students of AAUA and remains committed to defending the rights and interests of all Nigerian students. The association calls on the larger Nigerian community to join them in demanding justice and accountability in this matter”, the statement concluded.
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