The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, has ordered an investigation into the alleged assault on students of the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH) and officers attached to the Igbesa Police Division.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command were accused of assaulting and brutalising some students of the institution during an incident that reportedly occurred at the police station in Igbesa.

It was gathered that the incident began after a student was stopped, searched and allegedly found with a black soap, leading to his arrest and detention.

The development reportedly prompted the intervention of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Ilo Temitope, alongside other students.

In one of the videos circulating online, Temitope alleged that students who went to the station to seek the release of their colleague were denied access to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

“I met some comrades, and the students were outside the station. I asked them what happened and they told me that one of our students was arrested with a soap.

“I asked to see the Divisional Police Officer and we were refused and asked to come back tomorrow. The students refused and started singing aluta songs that the student had been locked up in the cell. Immediately those officers riding small cars came and one officer wanted to shoot us,” he said.

Sources alleged that Temitope was also assaulted and unlawfully detained while attempting to intervene on behalf of the students.

In another video, a student wearing a blue round-neck shirt was seen with blood flowing from his mouth while protesting in front of the police station.

“They have decided to intimidate us, they have decided to beat us without doing anything,” the student said.

A female voice heard in the background of the video alleged that the SUG president had also been beaten inside the station, claiming that the DPO participated in the assault.

Reacting to the incident, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.

The student body stated that the alleged actions of the officers amounted to a violation of the fundamental rights of students and an attack on democratic student unionism and peaceful coexistence within tertiary institutions.

NANS demanded an immediate investigation into the incident and called for the identification and sanctioning of officers allegedly involved in the assault.

Meanwhile, SUG presidents from eight institutions in Ogun State also demanded a public apology from the Igbesa Police Division, disciplinary action against officers allegedly involved in the assault and unlawful detention, and adequate protection for students against harassment and intimidation by security operatives.

Responding to the allegations, the command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the commissioner of police had directed an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the incident.

“The Command assures the public that the matter is receiving prompt attention and that due process will be strictly followed to establish the facts. Where any misconduct is established, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken in line with extant regulations,” he said.