By Kenneth Udeh
The Nigerian Police have released two students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi, who were detained at the Moore Police Station in Ile-Ife, Osun State, for protesting the visit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Wike had been invited to deliver a lecture at the university on Thursday, sparking tension and demonstrations across campus.
The students were released at exactly 10 p.m. following pressure mounted by their colleagues, activists, and executives of the Students’ Union who had gathered at the police station demanding their freedom.
The Union’s President, Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac (popularly known as Dr. Bush), and General Secretary, Babatimehin Kinfeosi Joy, were present to receive the released students.
In appreciation , the Student Union expressed gratitude to the students, legal practitioners , rights Activists and the General Public for their solidarity which they said led to the release of the students.
Wike’s lecture, titled “Nigeria of Our Dreams”, was held at the university’s symbolic Oduduwa Hall amid protests from student groups who questioned his political record and alleged anti-people policies.
Prior to the event, several student bodies had demanded the revocation of Wike’s invitation, citing what they described as his involvement in demolitions, elitist governance, and suppression of dissent in the FCT.
Protesters wielded placards with slogans such as “Oduduwa Hall is Sacred! Keep Tyrants Out!” and “Wike is Persona Non Grata!” As early as 8 a.m., hundreds of students assembled outside the hall, chanting slogans and blocking access to the venue.
The SUN gathered that security personnel, including those alleged to be security operatives struggled to get Wike into the hall amid heavy resistance and chants from the crowd.
Midway through the lecture, Oladepo and Kelechi interrupted Wike’s address, demanding accountability over alleged mass demolitions in Abuja.
They were swiftly apprehended by security operatives and forcibly removed, causing a brief disruption. Eyewitnesses claimed the students were initially taken to the university’s internal security unit, known as “Floor 0”, before being handed over to the police.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, however, denied any arrest, claiming the students were merely “escorted out” to prevent violence. “Only two students tried to disrupt the event.
Their colleagues were already descending on them, and to prevent injury, security officials removed them. They were not arrested,” he said.
This account was challenged by student eyewitnesses, who insisted that the duo were in fact arrested and transported to Moore Police Station with intentions to detain them until after the Eid-El-Kabir holidays. One student said, “They wanted to take them away to Abuja, but our security unit resisted it.”
The incident provoked immediate backlash from legal practitioners and civil society organisations. NEWWORTH LLP, a Lagos-based law firm, issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the students’ release, describing the arrests as unconstitutional.
In a statement signed by its Lead Partner, Ayo Ademiluyi Esq., the firm threatened legal action against the police, university authorities, and Minister Wike.
“Freedom of expression is a constitutional right. These students were arrested for raising placards during a public lecture. If they are not released within 24 hours, we will initiate legal proceedings in public interest,” Ademiluyi stated.
Activist organisations including the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA) and the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) also condemned the arrests. ERC’s National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael, described the event as further proof of “creeping despotism” in Nigerian higher institutions.
Meanwhile, Students’ Union spokesperson, Aka Daniel, said the Union was still verifying facts. “I wasn’t at the event and haven’t received a full report. We’re still trying to gather facts,” he noted.
Despite the chaos, Wike delivered his lecture and used the platform to defend his administration’s controversial actions in Abuja. “Poor people don’t own houses in Maitama or Asokoro; it’s the rich who avoid taxes. But I will touch them. Heaven will not fall. Leadership is not a popularity contest,” he declared, to mixed reactions.
The event was attended by other high-profile figures including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Obafemi Awolowo University, commonly referred to as “Great Ife,” has a strong tradition of radical student activism. In 2016, students made headlines when they booed and pelted former President Goodluck Jonathan during a campus visit, demanding accountability and justice. Many on campus view Oduduwa Hall not just as a lecture venue but as a hallowed space of ideological struggle.