Varsity students clash with NDLEA, police in Kwara

On Thursday, some students of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury during unrest involving students, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and police in the university community.

The Tribune investigation gathered that the operatives had visited the school community to raid and arrest students, while the attempt was met with resistance by some students who blocked the road leading to the community.

In several videos sighted on Thursday, the students were seen running for safety while gunshots were heard in the background.

It was reported that the EFCC operatives had a sting operation in the school community on Wednesday, where 48 students and two others were arrested, while the NDLEA and police officers visited on Thursday to also arrest some of the students.

“Yesterday, EFCC raided the school. Today NDLEA and police came and arrested boys (students) anyhow,” a source in the school said.

Also, a tweet from an X user (@babyygirlfl0) read, “EFCC came to raid in the middle of the night, two days ago, and arrested over 30 students. NDLEA came in today to do the same. Students tried to stop them, but they joined forces with the police and started throwing teargas at students. They even started shooting guns, as I saw with my own eyes.

“One student is dead; another is fighting for her life! Helppppp! Tag all the handles that can help, please! The network here is really bad. I’m so scared, man. Gunshots and teargas everywhere.”

Another user with the handle @thatgoodbae posted, “This school is a mess, mahn!! I don’t tyre!! Because, in God’s name, is the EFCC supposed to shoot at a student’s car??? Come to raid at 2am??? Taking students that have exams in the morning???”

The students reportedly stormed the school gate to protest the act and the arrest of their colleagues.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the university registrar, Dr Kikelomo W. Sallee, who said that peace had been restored to the area.

“Following the unrest that broke out this evening in Malete, the management of Kwara State University wishes to inform all students and staff of KWASU that peace has been restored to the Malete community.

“We therefore urge all to remain calm and lawful.

“We also wish to state that contrary to reports on social media, no one was shot and no lives were lost in the unrest.

“Management has been liaising with and will meet with the EFCC and NDLEA on the arbitrary sting operations on our student body.

“Management does not condone rough handling of bona fide students of our great university, and we urge our dear students to uphold the peaceful and orderly conduct for which our great KWASU is known.

“We are committed to providing a safe and enabling environment for our students and will ensure that they learn, develop, and graduate within the stipulated time frame. As such, the Harmattan semester examinations that are currently ongoing will continue as scheduled.

“We urge all great KWASUSITES to remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear.”

In its reaction, the state command of the Nigeria Police, through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, said that students of the KWASU attacked police stations in the community, destroyed valuable property, and injured policemen.

The statement by the police command said that the students gathered at about 4:00 on Thursday over “grievances related to the recent raids on black spots around the school premises by operatives of NDLEA.

“Students living off-campus expressed their dissent and marched from various parts of the town to Okoru Junction, close to Malete Police Division, carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as “Say No to NDLEA.”

“Efforts were made to engage with the students, persuading them to return to their respective hostels and maintain peace. In the process, they encountered a white Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number Lagos AGL 574 HZ, occupied by four armed policemen from Ila-orangun led by Inspr Ibrahim Ali and three others on an official assignment to Malete.

“They were mistaken for operatives of drug law enforcement agents. Consequently, the students chased them to Malete Divisional Police Headquarters, where the students began to throw stones into the police station.

“Regrettably, this led to some damage to the rooftop of the mosque and the windscreen of vehicles parked in the station. The policemen fired tear gas canisters to disperse the violent crowd and prevent further damage at the police station.

“Additionally, one police officer, PC Fayemi Kehinde, sustained minor injuries as a result of the stones thrown at the police station. He was given first-aid treatment at the hospital and discharged.

“Meanwhile, the DPO Shao Division and three other tactical teams are presently on the ground to support the efforts in de-escalating the situation.

“The CP urged all students of KWASU involved in this act to exercise some restraints and work towards resolving issues through peaceful dialogue.”