The Nigerian Army has apprehended and detained four individuals during a protest against fee hikes at the University of Ibadan (UI).
The detained protesters, identified as Aduwo Ayodele, Made Gbadegesin, Olorunfemi Adeyeye, and Nice Linus, were reportedly taken into custody during a demonstration on Monday.
According to sources, Adeyeye, who serves as the National Secretary of the African Action Congress, managed to capture a distressing video while inside the Army van. The footage depicts a man in military attire clinging to the vehicle as it speeds towards the Agodi area of Ibadan.
Adeyeye conveyed the harrowing experience in a WhatsApp message, alleging that UI security officers initially confronted them, followed by physical assault, and eventually summoning soldiers from Operation Burst.
The arrests coincided with a swearing-in ceremony for the new Students’ Union executives, where dissent against the fee hike was palpable among protesters.
Despite attempts to obtain comments from the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu, and the UI Dean of Students Affairs, Prof Adekeye Abiona, no response was received at press time.
In solidarity with the detained individuals, the Take It Back Movement, a human rights group, condemned the arrests and demanded their immediate release. The movement’s post on social media featured footage of one of the arrested individuals being transported to an undisclosed location.
The National Association of Nigerian Students had previously denounced the “outrageous” fee hike for new UI students, emphasizing the financial strain it imposes on families already grappling with economic challenges. NANS Public Relations Officer Victor Igbudu described the fee increase for the 2023/2024 academic session, ranging from N230,000 to 412,000, as unacceptable.
