Ogun Students Declare June 1 Mass Protest Day, Decry Police Interference

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LAGOS – The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Committee (JCC), and Presidents of Students’ Union Governments (SUGs) across Ogun State, have expressed deep concerns over po­lice harassment and Involvement in students affairs.

The leadership of NANS al­leged continuous use of security agencies by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Af­fairs, Comrade Adeyemi Azeez Amoo, to harass, intimidate, and victimise students and their lead­ers within Ogun State.

“We acknowledge and com­mend the Ogun State govern­ment for its sustained efforts to­wards ensuring peace, stability, and constructive engagement within the student community,” it said.

According to NANS, the vis­ible improvements in govern­ment-student relations had con­tributed significantly to a more conducive environment for learn­ing and student development.

The association, therefore, regretted that the action of the police was capable of creating tension and division within the student constituency due to being sponsored against students and comrades who had continued to exercise their constitutional rights to association, expression, and participation in student af­fairs.

The association in a statement signed by Comrade Olabode Faruq Boluwatife, the Chairman, NANS OGUN JCC AXIS stated, “At a time when the nation is confronted with serious securi­ty challenges, including the un­fortunate abduction of students and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, who remain in captivity more than two weeks after their kidnapping, it is disappointing that security resources are being diverted towards matters relating to student union affairs.

“Rather than focusing on pro­active collaboration with critical stakeholders to strengthen secu­rity around educational insti­tutions, the Ogun State Police Command is allowing itself to be drawn into issues that should ordinarily be resolved through dialogue and established demo­cratic processes within the stu­dent movement.

“We are using this medium to draw the attention of the Ogun State government, the leadership of NANS Southwest, and the National Leadership of NANS to the invitation of nine student stakeholders to the State Crim­inal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, on Monday, June 1, following a petition sub­mitted by the Special Assistant on Student Affairs.

“It is noteworthy that some of the affected comrades are al­ready involved in ongoing court proceedings initiated by the same government official.

“This latest action further strengthens concerns about a coordinated pattern of intimida­tion, harassment, and victimiza­tion targeted at student leaders and stakeholders across the state.

“We wish to state unequiv­ocally that there is credible ev­idence of repeated attempts to use security agencies against students and student leaders who hold differing views.

“Such actions are inconsis­tent with democratic principles and undermine the spirit of en­gagement and inclusiveness that the Ogun State government has worked hard to promote.

“Student leaders should not be treated as criminals simply for expressing opinions, partici­pating in student politics, or advo­cating for the interests of their constituents.”