Students of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, have denied being sponsored by any group or individuals to protest the continued use of their facilities for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

There have been insinuations that the students’ protest could not be unconnected with politics in the state.

The students, on Thursday, at a press briefing, expressed shock that their Tuesday response to police brutality could be “erroneously misconstrued” and treated as a politically sponsored action.

The students lamented that during the ongoing stay of youth corps members in their institution, their studies were disrupted, their accommodation taken away and “our safety threatened, and our voices ignored,” they said.

The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Maruf Ibrahim, said: “Let us be clear from the outset: this struggle is not political, sponsored, or manipulated by any external force. It is the genuine cry of students defending their welfare, dignity, and right to education.”

According to Ibrahim, “what we are experiencing now is not just an administrative issue; it is a human one.”

He, however, explained the remote cause of their Tuesday protest on campus, stating that for months, the premises of the state polytechnic had been used as an NYSC orientation camp due to security challenges in the state.

“While we recognise the importance of the NYSC scheme as a national programme, its continued operation within our campus has come at a painful cost to students.

“Hostels paid for by students were taken over. Academic activities were disrupted. Sports and campus life were halted. Many students were suddenly left without shelter, without clear alternatives.

“On 8 December 2025, the Students’ Union Government formally wrote to the polytechnic management, carefully and respectfully outlining these challenges. We asked for understanding.

“We asked for planning. Above all, we asked that student welfare should not be sacrificed for administrative convenience. No response came.

“When students had no choice, on 18 January 2026, during a meeting involving the polytechnic management, NYSC officials and the Ministry of Youth Development, we again raised our fears that students would be forced out of hostels they paid for; that academic activities would be thrown into confusion; and that many students, far from home and without money, would be stranded.

“Despite these warnings, a memo was later issued declaring a three-week holiday, effectively sending students away without support, preparation or consideration for their safety.

“On 19 January 2026, the SUG appealed for calm and chose dialogue over confrontation. Letters were sent to all relevant authorities. Our demands were simple and humane: allow students in hostels to remain on campus,” he stated.

Justifying the Tuesday protest, he recalled that these appeals were ignored, while the situation was greeted with “peaceful protest, violent response.”

“With no response and no protection, students organised a peaceful demonstration, not to cause trouble, but to be heard. Sadly, this peaceful action was met with force.

“Security operatives entered the campus with armoured vehicles, tear gas was fired, students and staff were injured, and hostels were forcefully evacuated.

“Even the Students’ Union building was not spared. This use of force against unarmed students was unnecessary and deeply painful. Students did not choose violence. Students chose dialogue. Students chose peace,” he said.

Subsequently, they urged the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Director-General of the NYSC, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and the management of Kwara State Polytechnic, “not after more students are displaced, injured or silenced. Peace cannot exist where students are ignored. Stability cannot be built on suffering,” they said.