Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Students’ Union Government (OOUSUG) have accused officers of the Nigerian Police Force of physically assaulting their leaders and firing shots at unarmed students during an altercation at the Oru-Ijebu Police Station in Ogun State.
The Ogun State Police Command, however, denied detaining any student following the reported confrontation at the Oru-Ijebu Police Division.
According to a statement released by the union leadership on Saturday and co-signed by SUG President Kehinde Bamigbose and General Secretary Olajire Emmanuel, the incident began after reports that some students were allegedly arrested under “unclear and questionable” circumstances. The union said the SUG Legal Director went to the station to verify the situation.
“In a bid to ensure due process and protect the rights of our students, the OOUSUG Legal Director proceeded to the station to ascertain the situation and engage the officers in a lawful and civil manner. Shockingly, while carrying out his legitimate duty, our legal director was subjected to degrading treatment — he was physically assaulted, kicked, and violently manhandled, including being choked by officers of the Nigerian Police Force,” the statement read.
The statement further alleged that another student present was also assaulted for protesting the unprofessional conduct of the officers.
“Even more disturbing, a student who accompanied him was slapped by officers during the encounter. These acts represent a gross violation of human dignity, professional ethics, and the rule of law,” the union said.
The Students’ Union President and other leaders later arrived at the station to try to calm tensions.
“Upon receiving this disturbing update, the OOUSUG President, accompanied by other student leaders, arrived at the station to peacefully intervene and de-escalate the situation,” the statement added.
The union accused the police of responding with excessive force, claiming that several students were injured and arrested during the incident.
“Rather than engage constructively, the police officers resorted to reckless violence. Without justification, they opened fire on unarmed students. In the course of this unwarranted aggression: a student was shot on the hand; several students were brutalised and assaulted; multiple students were unlawfully arrested; panic and chaos were deliberately instigated through continuous gunfire,” the statement read.
The union also claimed that innocent bystanders were affected.
“Innocent bystanders and students were subjected to fear, intimidation, and physical harm,” it said.
Describing the event as an abuse of power, the union warned that intimidation or violence against students would not be tolerated.
“We find it utterly unacceptable that officers entrusted with maintaining law and order would instead become agents of terror against the very citizens they are meant to protect,” the union stated.
The union issued several demands, including an immediate investigation, prosecution of the officers involved, medical treatment and compensation for injured students, and the unconditional release of those allegedly detained.
The incident highlights the conflicting narratives between the police and the students over what transpired at the Oru-Ijebu Police Station.
Samuel Omotere is a journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends, combining a language background with expertise in digital storytelling.
