Two students, Aduwo Ayodele and Olajide Olawale, at the University of Ibadan were arrested on Monday by the Oyo Police Command within the university premises, sparking concerns about escalating tensions on campus.
The Chief Security Officer of the university, Victor Fadebiyi, confirmed the arrests and indicated that he was en route to the police headquarters to advocate for their release.
According to Fadebiyi, the police claimed they were merely inviting the students for questioning, but the circumstances surrounding their detention have raised alarm among peers and university staff.
He stated, “The school is closed and they are supposed to go home, but they are still organizing meetings and threatening fire and brimstone.” This comment highlights the ongoing unrest at the university, which has seen students rallying in protest against a recent hike in school fees.
The situation at UI escalated following a civil demonstration that began on Thursday, August 29, in response to the fee increase approved by the university’s governing council the previous Friday.
In a bid to quell the unrest, the university management issued a directive on Saturday, instructing all students to vacate the campus by 2 PM that day. However, the directive only fueled further protests, with students expressing their discontent on the streets and vowing to remain on campus until their demands were addressed.
On Saturday, August 31, students convened a congress to discuss their next steps, resulting in a resolution to resist leaving the campus until their grievances regarding the fee hike were acknowledged. This defiance has created a charged atmosphere, as students are determined to make their voices heard, despite the administration’s efforts to enforce compliance with the evacuation order.
The arrest of Ayodele and Olawale adds a new layer of complexity to the situation, as it illustrates the lengths to which both students and authorities are willing to go amid rising tensions. As the university community grapples with the implications of the fee increase and the subsequent protests, the outcome of this conflict remains uncertain.
The university’s ability to restore order and address student concerns will be critical in the coming days, as both students and faculty watch closely for developments in this unfolding situation.
Tribune