Students in Osun State under the aegis of the National Association of Osun State Students, NAOSS, are lamenting the incessant attack on their leadership and members by men of the Nigerian Police, Osun State Command.
According to a statement by the President of the Association, Comrade Abdulwasiu Sanusi, obtained by InsightMedia in Osogbo on Thursday, the attack by the men of uniforms on him and his colleagues is becoming worrisome and if not checked, can erupt a reminiscence of the #EndSARS protest that engulfed the country last year.
According to Sanusi, the latest of the provocative attacks was experienced by his and his team at the Aurora Event Center, venue of the Osun @30 Anniversary Colloquium on Thursday. He alleged police officers attached to the entrance of the gate of attacking and harassing his men to the extent of tearing his Vice President’s shirt.
The statement reads, “Over the past few months, there have been different reports on how the students have been consistently harassed by men of the Nigerian Police and denied their freedom. This is absurd and it is not meant to continue.
“One of the recent act of barbarism that was displayed led to how one of the student Union leader was brutally beaten by some police officers at the point of entering the venue of Osun@30 Colloquium despite being officially invited by the State Government and after showing “the pass” at the gate.
“Same shameful act was done on the 11th of May when the leadership of the Union were not allowed to enter the State Secretariat, Abere.
“It is quite ludicrous and disappointing to see those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives turning around to endangering the lives of those they’re meant to protect.
“The incessant and persistent harassment of the students’ populace has metamorphosized into norms by the operatives of the Nigerian Police Force who claim they have the order of the Commission of Police to do so. If not checked, it may lead to another round of protest reminiscent of the 2020 EndSARS protests.
“These are barbaric acts that must be stopped as soon as possible. We hereby call on the Osun State Commissioner of Police to act swiftly and accordingly to ensure the discontinuity of these barbaric acts. The students populace are meant to be protected and not harassed and brutalized by men in uniform.
“We also wish to reiterate that NAOSS as an embodiment of the students populace is a consortium of responsible and progressive individuals and not criminals, hence we must be treated with equal respect and dignity deserving of a responsible citizen.”
