Authorities of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ijebu – Ode in Ogun State have shut down the institution.
They asked students to vacate the campuses immediately following a protest over the alleged assault and arrest of some TASUED students by soldiers.
Soldiers said to be from Sappers Barrack, Ilese on Thursday evening arrested some persons at a military check point close to Conoil Filling Station along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.
The persons, who turned out to be students of TADUED, were taken to the barrack but attempts by the Students Union Government (SUG) to rescue them led to the arrest of the SUG President, Rabiu Sodiq.
He was taken to the barrack, forcing the students to pour into the Sagamu – Ijebu – Ode – Ore expressway on Friday in protest over the detention of their colleagues.
Armoured Personnel Carriers were deployed to the scene as the soldiers fired sporadically into the air to disperse the protesting students.
Vehicular traffic was halted on both sides of the expressway, forcing a standstill for travellers on Friday morning.
The University authorities, fearing the worst, asked the students to immediately vacate the campuses and called on their parents and guardians to make them comply with the directive.
TASUED Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Public Relations Officer, Mrs Odubela Ayotunde, told The Nation: “The Senate of Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun, Ogun State at its emergency meeting has directed that all Students are to vacate the University’s Campuses immediately.
“Parents are thus advised to contact their wards and ensure they return home forthwith.”
She noted that the decision was sequel to the arrest of some students at a military check point on Thursday, clarifying that the University Management did not at any time invite military personnel or security agencies into the campus.
She also clarified that no student was abducted from any of the University’s campuses or shot dead.
But the SUG Senate President Moradeyo Ifedayo Johnson and Chief Judge Ayobami Kareem alleged soldiers invaded the students’ community and manhandled many of them.
“TASUEDITES who are going by their legitimate and calm businesses were cornered at CONOIL Filling Station, the Express Road that leads to the University second gate.
“They were arrested and assaulted for no reason. To make things worst, the soldiers asked students to bail themselves up with N50, 000 and those who could not do that were detained and taken away (most likely to the barrack).
“As responsible and responsive students’ union officers, upon hearing the ugly development, we swung into action and make frantic efforts to mediate and rescue students from this injustice and assault cum fraudulent exploitation.
“This calm and ideal effort by the students’ union was met with strong resistance by the military men, who assaulted the Students’ Union President.
“The Senate President was also severely injured and many comrades were beaten, whipped and abducted by the military men.
“The Students’ Union abhor this act in its totality, very displeased and frown at the reaction of the custodian of the university to the matter when contacted,” Moradeyo stated