Students of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, have urged policy makers and other stakeholders to blame the Police officials invited to their school for the Tuesday protest.

They also denied being sponsored by any group or individual to protest the continued use of their facilities for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The students, at a press conference, at the weekend, expressed shock that their Tuesday response to police brutality could be “erroneously misconstrued” and treated as being politically-induced.

There is an ongoing insinuation that the students’ protest couldn’t be unconnected to politics in the state.

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

The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Maruf Ibrahim, said: “Let us be clear. 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 experience is not just an administrative issue; it is a human one.”

He, however, led journalists into the remote cause of their Tuesday protest on campus, stating that for months, the premises of the state Polytechnic have been used as an NYSC orientation camp due to security challenges in the state.

“While we recognize the importance of the NYSC scheme as a national program, 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 8th 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 were with no choice, on 18th 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; 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 19th 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 dermonstration, not to cause trouble, but to be heard. Sadly, this peaceful action was met with force.

“Security operatives entered the campus vith 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) National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), 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 sutfering,” they enjoined.