NewStats: 3,265,405 , 8,186,628 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 07:20 PM 3e3y4j

The Nigerian Police have released two students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi, who were detained at the Moore Police Station in Ile-Ife, Osun State, for protesting the visit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike had been invited to deliver a lecture at the university on Thursday, sparking tension and demonstrations across campus.

The students were released at exactly 10 p.m. following pressure mounted by their colleagues, activists, and executives of the Students’ Union who had gathered at the police station demanding their freedom.

The Union’s President, Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac (popularly known as Dr. Bush), and General Secretary, Babatimehin Kinfeosi Joy, were present to receive the released students.

In appreciation , the Student Union expressed gratitude to the students, legal practitioners , rights Activists and the General Public for their solidarity which they said led to the release of the students.

Wike’s lecture, titled “Nigeria of Our Dreams”, was held at the university’s symbolic Oduduwa Hall amid protests from student groups who questioned his political record and alleged anti-people policies.

Prior to the event, several student bodies had demanded the revocation of Wike’s invitation, citing what they described as his involvement in demolitions, elitist governance, and suppression of dissent in the FCT.

Protesters wielded placards with slogans such as “Oduduwa Hall is Sacred! Keep Tyrants Out!” and “Wike is Persona Non Grata!” As early as 8 a.m., hundreds of students assembled outside the hall, chanting slogans and blocking access to the venue.

The SUN gathered that security personnel, including those alleged to be security operatives struggled to get Wike into the hall amid heavy resistance and chants from the crowd.

Midway through the lecture, Oladepo and Kelechi interrupted Wike’s address, demanding ability over alleged mass demolitions in Abuja.

They were swiftly apprehended by security operatives and forcibly removed, causing a brief disruption. Eyewitnesses claimed the students were initially taken to the university’s internal security unit, known as “Floor 0”, before being handed over to the police.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, however, denied any arrest, claiming the students were merely “escorted out” to prevent violence. “Only two students tried to disrupt the event.

Their colleagues were already descending on them, and to prevent injury, security officials removed them. They were not arrested,” he said.

This was challenged by student eyewitnesses, who insisted that the duo were in fact arrested and transported to Moore Police Station with intentions to detain them until after the Eid-El-Kabir holidays. One student said, “They wanted to take them away to Abuja, but our security unit resisted it.”

The incident provoked immediate backlash from legal practitioners and civil society organisations. NEWWORTH LLP, a Lagos-based law firm, issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the students’ release, describing the arrests as unconstitutional.

In a statement signed by its Lead Partner, Ayo Ademiluyi Esq., the firm threatened legal action against the police, university authorities, and Minister Wike.

“Freedom of expression is a constitutional right. These students were arrested for raising placards during a public lecture. If they are not released within 24 hours, we will initiate legal proceedings in public interest,” Ademiluyi stated.

Activist organisations including the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA) and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) also condemned the arrests. ERC’s National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael, described the event as further proof of “creeping despotism” in Nigerian higher institutions.

Meanwhile, Students’ Union spokesperson, Aka Daniel, said the Union was still ing facts. “I wasn’t at the event and haven’t received a full report. We’re still trying to gather facts,” he noted.

Despite the chaos, Wike delivered his lecture and used the platform to defend his istration’s controversial actions in Abuja. “Poor people don’t own houses in Maitama or Asokoro; it’s the rich who avoid taxes. But I will touch them. Heaven will not fall. Leadership is not a popularity contest,” he declared, to mixed reactions.

The event was attended by other high-profile figures including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Obafemi Awolowo University, commonly referred to as “Great Ife,” has a strong tradition of radical student activism. In 2016, students made headlines when they booed and pelted former President Goodluck Jonathan during a campus visit, demanding ability and justice. Many on campus view Oduduwa Hall not just as a lecture venue but as a hallowed space of ideological struggle.

https://thesun.ng/police-bow-to-pressure-release-oau-students-detained-for-protesting-wikes-visit-to-varsity/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKwI_5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsX5vLOQ4llM78SmPX8p2T_LLzp467dE0h7j05PbqsiBfoQsSOysEjHAKOp6_aem_znQySjlJ8TMLnURpGniS2w&amp

Very soon we'll call the military to take over since there is no difference.

slimfit1:
Very soon we'll call the military to take over since there is no difference.

If dss pick you up now people go start to dey protest

The worst of us policing the rest of us. What a tragedy.

Moferere:


If dss pick you up now people go start to dey protest

chicken

Moferere:


If dss pick you up now people go start to dey protest

I pity Nigerians. Always siding injustice

During our own time at Ife, no law enforcement agent be it DSS, soldier or police dare enter OAU campus to arrest student for protesting. In fact they would not enter for any purpose except cleared by the SUG.

Even the then powerful OBJ as sitting president, saw pepper in the hands of students as he was prevented from entering. It was the then SUG president, Victor Akinladejo aka VAKAMA that pleaded on his behalf. VAKAMA was later appointed assistant by Obasanjo and he has been House of Rep member for so many years.

Seun can testify to these facts.

When I tell people that I witnessed 3 military regimes before civilian rule in 1999 and I don't really see any difference between the military rule and Tinubu's government in of civilian rights they think i'm joking , the major difference was that there was less corruption restricted to a few at top government level and there was better service delivery to Nigerians than Tinubu's government....

Moferere:


If dss pick you up now people go start to dey protest

Pick him up for what? You people are the enablers of their recklessness and high-handedness

OAU students didn't protest against Wike. Only two disgruntled elements did and they have been taught a lesson.

What a Country......

The boys really tried by standing up against a tyrant in the person of Wike.

Good one. They must have learnt one or two lessons

Lol

Moferere:


If dss pick you up now people go start to dey protest

Why the fear pls? Apc has done such a good job, civilians would protect them from the militaty naa

Conciousnigeria:




https://thesun.ng/police-bow-to-pressure-release-oau-students-detained-for-protesting-wikes-visit-to-varsity/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKwI_5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsX5vLOQ4llM78SmPX8p2T_LLzp467dE0h7j05PbqsiBfoQsSOysEjHAKOp6_aem_znQySjlJ8TMLnURpGniS2w&amp

Their civil disobedience career just kicked off under Tiunubu istration

More civil disobedience to come

So the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju lied about their arrest

Shame

Great Ife..I condemned the arrest, but the students can protest peacefully to respect the other dignitaries...Ooni,Wale Edun and Co are present....I freedom of speech

Then someone will say the worse democracy is better than a military regime.
What's the difference?

They committed no crime, they were not suppose to be locked up at all

udemzyudex:
Then someone will say the worse democracy is better than a military regime.
What's the difference?

They didn't lose their life and were eventually freed. Under the military, they will still be locked up and might even be killed. And people like you won't even have the freedom to talk about it on nairaland.

Democracy is better than military regime.

AguluLiar:
OAU students didn't protest against Wike. Only two disgruntled elements did and they have been taught a lesson.

One of the two is from the Erosion region.

cjudy:

I pity Nigerians. Always siding injustice

Calling on the military to take over is a big crime

AguluLiar:
OAU students didn't protest against Wike. Only two disgruntled elements did and they have been taught a lesson.

Ask any OAU student on campus on that day, there was a protest, in fact the protest delayed the program.

Conciousnigeria:




https://thesun.ng/police-bow-to-pressure-release-oau-students-detained-for-protesting-wikes-visit-to-varsity/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKwI_5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsX5vLOQ4llM78SmPX8p2T_LLzp467dE0h7j05PbqsiBfoQsSOysEjHAKOp6_aem_znQySjlJ8TMLnURpGniS2w&amp

It's not over yet... what they didn't trach them at home they will learn it outside

Ikaeniyan0:
They didn't lose their life and were eventually freed. Under the military, they will still be locked up and might even be killed. And people like you won't even have the freedom to talk about it on nairaland.

Democracy is better than military regime.

Lol.. Bro it's the one you know of OK, there are others you don't know about and still languishing in prison, what about the Endsar saga? Some are still in prison till today and some were killed, so what's the difference?
You talk, dss or police will find and arrest you, is it not the same thing that happened under the military rule?

Brendaniel:
When I tell people that I witnessed 3 military regimes before civilian rule in 1999 and I don't really see any difference between the military rule and Tinubu's government in of civilian rights they think i'm joking , the major difference was that there was less corruption restricted to a few at top government level and there was better service delivery to Nigerians than Tinubu's government....

There's difference. A mudu of beans was 30 naira then!

Some students are not wise.instead of you to stay out of the university management's politics and operations and face wetin bring you there in the 1st place, you dey protest for wetin ni consain you