The Students’ Union Government of Olabisi Onabanjo University has accused officers of the Nigerian Police Force of assaulting student leaders and opening fire on unarmed students during a protest at the Oru Ijebu Police Station in Ogun State.
The allegation follows a confrontation at the police division, which the Ogun State Police Command has denied. In a statement issued late Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said no student was detained during the incident.
However, in a counter statement released on Sunday, March 29, 2026, and jointly signed by SUG President Kehinde Bamigbose and General Secretary Olajire Emmanuel, the union gave a detailed account of events leading to the clash.
According to the union, the incident began after reports that some students had been arrested under what it described as “unclear and questionable” circumstances. This prompted the union’s Legal Director to visit 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 union further alleged that another student who accompanied the legal director was also assaulted during the encounter.
“Even more disturbing, a student who accompanied him was slapped by officers. These acts represent a gross violation of human dignity, professional ethics and the rule of law,” it added.
The statement noted that the SUG president and other student leaders later arrived at the station in an effort to de escalate 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,” it said.
The union, however, claimed that the situation escalated when police officers allegedly used force against the students.
“Rather than engage constructively, the police officers resorted to reckless violence. Without justification, they opened fire on unarmed students.
“In the course of this aggression, a student was shot in the hand, several others were assaulted, and multiple students were unlawfully arrested, while panic was triggered through continuous gunfire,” the statement alleged.
It added that bystanders were also affected by the incident, reporting cases of fear, intimidation and physical harm.
Describing the development as an abuse of power, the union condemned the actions of the officers and vowed to pursue justice.
“We find it 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 statement said.
The union demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, prosecution of officers involved, medical treatment and compensation for injured students, as well as the unconditional release of those allegedly detained.
The incident has sparked conflicting accounts between the police and the students over what transpired at the Oru Ijebu division.
