Student Protest at MAPOLY: Alleged Attack on Ogun Deputy Governor’s Convoy

MAPOLY Students Protest: Details of the Alleged Attack on Ogun Deputy Governor

The recent protest by students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, escalated into controversy following allegations that the convoy of Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, was attacked. Here’s a breakdown of the incident:

Cause of the Protest

The students were demonstrating against:

• Increased tuition fees.
• Delayed mobilization of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Alleged Attack on the Convoy

• Reports from the Ogun State government claimed that the protesting students, armed with sticks and other objects, attempted to block and damage the Deputy Governor’s convoy.
• Security vehicles were reportedly damaged, and some personnel were injured while trying to disperse the crowd.

Students’ Perspective

• Adeyanju Francis, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State, denied the allegations of violence.
• He insisted the protest was peaceful and that no student attacked the convoy or was armed.
• Francis further alleged that security forces fired shots to disperse the students, exacerbating the situation.

Government Response

• Ogun State officials condemned the alleged violence, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue over disruptive protests.
• They pledged to investigate the incident and address the students’ grievances.

Current Status

• Tensions remain high as both sides continue to present conflicting accounts of the event.
• The government has not yet provided a detailed response to the students’ demands.