OAU Students and Groups React To the Arrest of Suspected Cultists.
Alfred Olufemi.
Students and student groups in Obafemi Awolowo University have aired their views on the arrest and remand of some suspected cultists at the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, of the Police force in Osogbo.
Barely 12 Students, alleged of being members of cultists' movements, have been locked up for over 72 hours. OAU KILONSHELE can report.
John Udeh, a part 2 student of Social studies education; Mr. Tobi Oladoye, 400 level student of English department; Ridwan Oluwatobi, a part 2 student and a reported graduate identified as 'Jaaga', were part of those arrested.
Some students, most who pleaded to be anonymous, spoke to the journalist on the conduct of the alleged cultists.
A part 4 student of the faculty of arts stated that he has known Mr. Udeh to be violent since his part One days.
"On several times I've seen him fighting in the school and outside the campus. There was a day he harassed a student in my presence." The student testified.
Another student, Alonge Adeniyi, said Mr. Oladoye has been caught in the act of breaking bottles to steer up violence.
"I've seen him break bottle on two different occasions. Both at the New bukka and at the Students' union building."
According to a reliable source, Jagaa, reportedly to have graduated but still on campus, was said to have led some group of persons to a bush along Osogbo road sometime in June to initiate the students and actually beat some of them to stupor.
The top Source added that one of the students initiated have refused to stay on campus since then for the fear of being killed.
Speaking with the Coordinator of the Education Rights' Campaign (ERC) in the school, Samuel Dunnex, he opined that the recent rise in campus cultism is a direct consequence of the decongestion of the hostel facilities and the absence of students' unionism.
"The organised mass of students who used to reside on campus have always served as an intimidation for cultism." He claimed
"But now, that they have been forcefully driven out of campus, the tables have turned."
"Ultimately, the violent clampdown on independent unionism has further helped germinate campus cultism because it remains an unarguable fact that a radical and vibrant union is the only and best structure for students to organise and collectively combat campus cultism." He added
Mr Samuel, however urged the state security operatives to let justice prevail as against the July 10, 1999 mayhem, whose culprits were freed unjustly.
"The culprits should be made to face the full consequences of the law as stated in the Nigerian law and the university act without undue interference from any authority." He concluded.
Also, the Chairman of the Action committee set up by the Congress of students, Gbenga Oloniniran said "the union has always dealt with cultists mercilessly on campus in her traditional way, if not for any other reason, it is for the security and serenity of our campus, it is also for the sake of Afrika's gruesome murder by cultists."
" So, any pronounced cultist should be dealt with whether in the university administration's way or a collective moderation and sanction from students. The issue must not be slept under carpet by any authority." He told OAU KILONSHELE.
However, although the University is yet to make an official release on the arrest, the Public relations officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, assured that necessary information will be sent to the public as at when due.
He stated that "efforts to arrest many students involved are still on."
Meanwhile, in a conversation withthe spokesperson of the Osun state command of the Police force, Odoro Folashade, she told OAU KILONSHELE that she's yet to be informed about the arrest of the students.
"I'm just getting this from you and yet to verify the information. I'll get back you after verifying." She promised the journalist.
Students and student groups in Obafemi Awolowo University have aired their views on the arrest and remand of some suspected cultists at the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, of the Police force in Osogbo.
Barely 12 Students, alleged of being members of cultists' movements, have been locked up for over 72 hours. OAU KILONSHELE can report.
John Udeh, a part 2 student of Social studies education; Mr. Tobi Oladoye, 400 level student of English department; Ridwan Oluwatobi, a part 2 student and a reported graduate identified as 'Jaaga', were part of those arrested.
Some students, most who pleaded to be anonymous, spoke to the journalist on the conduct of the alleged cultists.
A part 4 student of the faculty of arts stated that he has known Mr. Udeh to be violent since his part One days.
"On several times I've seen him fighting in the school and outside the campus. There was a day he harassed a student in my presence." The student testified.
Another student, Alonge Adeniyi, said Mr. Oladoye has been caught in the act of breaking bottles to steer up violence.
"I've seen him break bottle on two different occasions. Both at the New bukka and at the Students' union building."
According to a reliable source, Jagaa, reportedly to have graduated but still on campus, was said to have led some group of persons to a bush along Osogbo road sometime in June to initiate the students and actually beat some of them to stupor.
The top Source added that one of the students initiated have refused to stay on campus since then for the fear of being killed.
Speaking with the Coordinator of the Education Rights' Campaign (ERC) in the school, Samuel Dunnex, he opined that the recent rise in campus cultism is a direct consequence of the decongestion of the hostel facilities and the absence of students' unionism.
"The organised mass of students who used to reside on campus have always served as an intimidation for cultism." He claimed
"But now, that they have been forcefully driven out of campus, the tables have turned."
"Ultimately, the violent clampdown on independent unionism has further helped germinate campus cultism because it remains an unarguable fact that a radical and vibrant union is the only and best structure for students to organise and collectively combat campus cultism." He added
Mr Samuel, however urged the state security operatives to let justice prevail as against the July 10, 1999 mayhem, whose culprits were freed unjustly.
"The culprits should be made to face the full consequences of the law as stated in the Nigerian law and the university act without undue interference from any authority." He concluded.
Also, the Chairman of the Action committee set up by the Congress of students, Gbenga Oloniniran said "the union has always dealt with cultists mercilessly on campus in her traditional way, if not for any other reason, it is for the security and serenity of our campus, it is also for the sake of Afrika's gruesome murder by cultists."
" So, any pronounced cultist should be dealt with whether in the university administration's way or a collective moderation and sanction from students. The issue must not be slept under carpet by any authority." He told OAU KILONSHELE.
However, although the University is yet to make an official release on the arrest, the Public relations officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, assured that necessary information will be sent to the public as at when due.
He stated that "efforts to arrest many students involved are still on."
Meanwhile, in a conversation withthe spokesperson of the Osun state command of the Police force, Odoro Folashade, she told OAU KILONSHELE that she's yet to be informed about the arrest of the students.
"I'm just getting this from you and yet to verify the information. I'll get back you after verifying." She promised the journalist.
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