‘They Were Rescued, Not Arrested’ — OAU Reacts To Students’ Protest Against Wike

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday dismissed claims that two students were arrested by security operatives for protesting during the visit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike was on campus as the guest speaker at the institution’s 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture held at the Oduduwa Hall.

The former Rivers State governor delivered a lecture titled “Nigeria of Our Dreams”, amid a mixed reception from members of the university community.

It was gathered that two students, identified as Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi, had raised placards during the event, demanding compensation for Abuja residents whose properties were demolished under Wike’s directive as FCT Minister.

A video of the protest seen by our correspondent showed the students being whisked away by security operatives while the minister was still addressing the audience.

Their action momentarily disrupted the event, drawing murmurs from attendees before the situation was contained.

Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed that the protesting students were escorted to the university’s internal security base, known as ‘Floor 0’, located within the Senate Building.

“They were inside the hall during the lecture. Once they brought out the placards, security officials bundled them out,” one student witness said.

Another source added, “The students were taken to Floor 0 alongside Wike’s security operatives. There was some confusion, but university security later took over and pleaded with the minister’s team not to take them off-campus.”

Speaking on the incident, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, denied reports of an arrest.

He insisted the students were merely “rescued” from potential mob action by their peers.

“Everybody has a right to protest, but the microscopic minority should not disrupt the programme approved by the overwhelming majority,” Olarewaju said.

“They were not arrested. They were only escorted out of the hall to prevent escalation. Some students had begun to confront them. You know, when 20 students face two, anything can happen. Our security simply rescued them from being attacked,” he added.

Olarewaju, who also anchored the event, maintained that the university acted in the students’ interest to avoid violence, saying, “How can just two students attempt to disrupt an event enjoyed by hundreds?”

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked outrage from student rights groups. The Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA) condemned the action, insisting the students were unjustly targeted.

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of our comrades. This is a clear case of repression and suppression of student voices,” ANSA’s Deputy National Coordinator, Ikechukwu John, said in a statement.

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) also condemned the development, with its National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael, describing the treatment of the students as “a reflection of growing despotism in higher institutions.”

As of press time, the Students’ Union leadership said it was yet to receive a formal briefing on the incident.

The union’s Public Relations Officer, Aka Daniel, said, “I wasn’t at the event and I don’t have full details yet. But we’re following up on the matter.”

Efforts to reach the detained students for comment proved abortive, as their whereabouts remained unclear late Thursday.