Amid a demonstration against fee increases at the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigerian Army officers reportedly detained four individuals, sparking tension.
PUNCH Online reported that the Nigerian Army apprehended and transported Aduwo Ayodele, Made Gbadegesin, Olorunfemi Adeyeye, and Nice Linus in an Army vehicle.
Inside the van, Adeyeye, the National Secretary of the African Action Congress, filmed a soldier clinging to the vehicle en route Agodi, Ibadan.
During the protest, Adeyeye recounted how university security forces singled him out and subsequently detained him.
His account illuminates the gravity of the situation, revealing the authorities’ drastic actions to quell the protest. Furthermore, his detention disclosure amplifies concerns about dissent management at the University of Ibadan.
Meanwhile, attempts to contact key individuals like Nigerian Army spokesperson Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu were unsuccessful. Efforts to reach UI Dean of Students Affairs Prof Adekeye Abiona also yielded no response, deepening the mystery. The absence of official communication exacerbates the ambiguity surrounding the incident, fueling speculation and concern. This lack of transparency raises doubts about the handling of the situation and the accountability of involved parties.
In response to the arrests, the Take It Back Movement swiftly condemned the actions of the authorities and called for the immediate release of the detained individuals. Their vocal stance against what they perceive as an infringement on civil liberties highlights the broader implications of such incidents on the rights of protesters and activists.
Simultaneously, the National Association of Nigerian Students weighed in on the issue by criticizing the fee hike that triggered the protests in the first place. Their statement reflects the underlying grievances of students regarding the financial burden imposed by the university, adding another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding education affordability and accessibility.
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