Unilag students protest against alleged illegal rustication, detention of colleagues

Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly against alleged illegal rustication and detention of their colleagues by the police and university authorities.

The protesters, who chanted different solidarity songs, carried placards with various inscriptions such as: “Nigerian students say no to repression,” “Free our students today,” “We demand the removal of Fatai Owoseni,” “Nigerian students say no to rustication of students’ leaders in Unilag” and “Free Unilag 13, free rusticated Unilag 13.”

The coordinator of the students, Mr. Juwon Sonya-Olu, alleged that the students’ leaders were beaten, arrested and remanded by the police, for protesting against the high-handedness of the school’s management.

Sanya-Olu, who is the Secretary, Save Unilag Coalition, urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to intervene to free them and reinstate those who were rusticated.Addressing the protesters, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo, urged them to present relevant information to the government to enable it to intervene.

Also, the Commissioner for Homes Affairs, Mr. Abdullateef Abdulhakeem promised that the state government’s intervention would bring positive results.