14 student union activists(NANS) ARRESTED AND BRUTALIZED BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE
About 14 student union activists were arrested this
afternoon by the Nigerian Police who tortured, beat,
and brutalized them as they met near YabaTech.
These students congregated in Yaba following their
attendance at a hearing at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,
Lagos.
The student activists attended a hearing on the case between
some the rusticated University of Lagos Students’ Union
(ULSU) and their university, UNILAG. Today’s hearing ended
with Federal Court Justice Salihu Seidu adjourning the case to
October 25th because the defendant, UNILAG, failed to show
up in court.
Akokitelounge Reporters learned that the police viciously beat,
brutalized, and arrested numerous student activists. Among
those brutalized included: the NANS JCC Chairman Samson
Moses Adewale, NANS JCC Sports director Muhammed,
NANS JCC Secretary General Owolabi Oluseyi, two NANS JCC
senators, and others.
The police swooped in on the student leaders during a
meeting to decide next steps in their case against UNILAG for
illegally rusticating students. During the police operation many
students were arrested, according to sources.
Sources speaking to Akokitelounge Reporters said the circumstances
surrounding the attack, and the Gestapo manner it was carried
out, suggests that the Nigerian police were likely acting on
instructions of UNILAG authorities. It will be recalled that the
Nigerian police are implicated, alongside UNILAG officials, in
the rustication of some student leaders.
Semester examinations started in UNILAG today and the court
hearing today was expected to grant an order that could give
the students the opportunity to join their colleagues in the
exams. Unfortunately, the case was adjourned till October
25th, meaning the students would be missing the entire
semester despite not having violated credible rules. Activists
are saying that the action is punitive and a corrupt university
management is punishing the students.
Meanwhile the Education Rights’ Campaign has condemned
the premeditated and vicious attack today by the armed
policemen in a message sent to Akokitelounge Reporters by the
National Coordinator Hassan Taiwo.
“We strongly condemn this attack; it is unacceptable that the
police would disrupt the peaceful gathering of students. These
students were illegally rusticated by an intolerant
management for leading fellow students in a protest in April
to demand improved welfare conditions.
“As citizens of the country, students have the right to freedom
and expression. The police is funded by taxpayers’ money and
they shouldn’t be converted into the private thugs of
tyrannical Vice Chancellors like the one at UNILAG.
“We therefore call on the commissioner of police to
immediately release those reportedly arrested and caution his
men from being further used by a despotic University authority
to clampdown on students of the University of Lagos.
The students were first detained at Sabo Police station before
being moved to Lagos Police Headquarters in Ikeja. They are
being moved to Panti Police Station as at the time of filling
this report.
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