The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has denied reports that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested two students who protested during a lecture delivered by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday.
During the event held at Oduduwa Hall, where Wike spoke on “The Nigeria of Our Dreams,” two unidentified students raised placards and shouted in protest. The disruption drew the attention of other students, some of whom attempted to confront the protesters.
However, university security personnel swiftly intervened and escorted the students out of the hall, preventing further escalation.
Following the incident, a viral claim surfaced alleging that DSS operatives had arrested the protesting students. Reacting to the report, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, dismissed the claim as false.
“You were in the hall. You saw that the two students raised placards and were not disturbed,” Olarewaju stated. “Their shouting attracted other students who were about to descend on them, but the school security team intervened promptly.”
He urged the public to disregard the misinformation, emphasizing that no arrests were made by the DSS in connection with the protest.
“They were rescued from their colleagues and escorted out to avert further harassment on the protesters. I can authoritatively tell you that they were not arrested. They have the right to protest and they have exercise it.
“But other students too have rights and to avoid a fight, the security team had to intervene and calm the situation.”
