THE protest by the students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, against to protest a new regime of charges introduced by the management of the institution since Tuesday turned sour on Thursday when security agents attached to a convoy of the Presidency allegedly fired shots at the demonstrators.
It was reliably gathered that the convoy, which ran into the demonstrators around Oduduwa University junction in Ile-Ife, was led by a bullet proof Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) around 9.30 a.m. when the incident occurred.
Credible sources informed the Nigerian Tribune that one of the security aides attached to the convoy, which was allegedly held hostage by the rampaging students, fired some shots to scare away the demonstrators, culminating in a stampede, causing about four students to sustain critical injury.
Apparently sensing danger that the convoy might be attacked by the enraged students, some security personnel attached to the convoy allegedly fired several shots in an attempt to pave the way, thereby compelling the students to scamper to safety.
Though identity of the government officials involved could not be ascertained, the development created tension around the area, as residents and shop owners fled to avoid being caught up in the melee.
It will be recalled that the students of OAU had, on Tuesday, commenced demonstrations to decry what they termed obnoxious increment in their payable fees by the institution’s management.
Undeterred by the development, the irate students took their demonstration to the palace of the Ooni of Ife to remind him of his promise to persuade the Professor Bamitale Omole-led management to reverse the hiked fees.
On their way to the palace, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Osun August 9, 2014 governorship poll, Senator Iyiola Omisore, accosted the students and appealed to them to conduct themselves in peaceful manner during the protest. While expressing readiness to mediate in the face-off betwen them and the OAU management, Omisore said he was optimistic that the management would do something to address the yearnings of the students.
Led by the Students’ Union president-elect, Comrade Isaac Ibikunle, the students said “the management had increased increased the tuition from N17,000 to about N100,000, apart from N20,000 acceptance and accommodation fees.
“We have exhausted all peaceful means. We have consulted union bodies like ASUU, NASU and even the alumni body of the institution to help us appeal to the management to reverse the fees but no avail.”