University of Ibadan Under Fire: Students Condemn Brutal Assault on Journalist and Students

The Concerned Students’ Movement, University of Ibadan (UI) has condemned what it describes as a continuous attack on students and press freedom by the university management, labelling it “anti-intellectual and autocratic.”

The group called for immediate disciplinary action against the university’s Chief Security Officer and security personnel involved in the March 7, 2025, assault on students and a journalist during the Students’ Union inauguration.

SaharaReporters had reported how the university security officers physically assaulted students, forcefully removed a duly elected Students’ Representative Council (SRC) member, Nice Linus, and attacked those who attempted to intervene.

A campus journalist, Akanni, was also slapped, had his phone seized, and was unlawfully detained in an attempt to suppress documentation of the event.

However, the group in a statement signed by Feranmi Gabriel on behalf of the Concerned Students’ Movement, described the incident as a brazen abuse of power and an attack on democracy, press freedom, and the rule of law.

The group urged human rights organisations and press freedom advocates to intervene and ensure campus journalists can operate without intimidation.

It also warned that if the university fails to act, it will escalate the issue through legal action, national protests, and petitions to international human rights bodies.

UI Security Assaults Students, Slaps Journalist, Seizes Phone To Block Recording At Student Union Inauguration

The statement reads in part, “We unequivocally condemn the disgraceful and undemocratic actions of the University of Ibadan security personnel, who have once again demonstrated a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights, press freedom, and democratic principles.

“Reports from SaharaReporters and numerous video evidence confirm that students were physically assaulted during the Students’ Union inauguration held on Friday, 7th March 2025. Security officers forcefully removed a duly elected Students’ Representative Council (SRC) member, Nice Linus, and brutalised those who attempted to intervene.

“Even more disgraceful, a campus journalist, Akanni, was slapped, had his phone seized, and was unlawfully briefly detained and profiled in an effort to suppress documentation of these atrocities, as against what is expected of a journalist.

“This brazen abuse of power is not just a campus issue — it is a direct attack on democracy, press freedom, and the rule of law. Universities are meant to be safe spaces for free thought, expression, and civic engagement.

“Instead, the University of Ibadan has become a stage for unchecked brutality, censorship, and authoritarian oppression. The use of force to silence students and journalists is both illegal and morally indefensible, and we refuse to tolerate it.

“In light of these grievous violations, we hold the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan, human rights organisations, and the Nigerian public accountable for ensuring that justice is served and that such atrocities never happen again.

“The University’s Governing Council must immediately institute an independent investigation into these attacks. Equally, all security personnel, led by the University Chief Security Officer, as evidenced in the shameful videos, must be identified and subjected to disciplinary and legal action. The Council must show that the University will not become a breeding ground for impunity.

“We restate our position that the student electoral process must be upheld without interference. The Governing Council must ensure that all duly elected representatives assume their positions without fear of intimidation or coercion.

“The Students’ Union is an autonomous body, and any attempts to undermine it must be met with legal and administrative consequences.

“Equally, human rights organisations and press freedom advocates must step in to ensure that journalists within the university are protected.

“The assault on journalist Akanni, members of the Union of Campus Journalists University of Ibadan, and the seizure of Akanni’s phone are direct violations of press rights, and those responsible must be held accountable. We call on parents and the staff unions to prevail and demand an end to such repressive acts against the media.

The group noted that if the University of Ibadan fails to act decisively, it will “escalate this issue through legal action, national protests, and petitions to international human rights bodies”.

“We refuse to accept a system where students are brutalised for exercising their rights and where journalists are treated as enemies for simply doing their jobs,” it added.

It said, “The global community must recognize this incident for what it is; injustice. We demand justice, we demand accountability. The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan must take immediate action, or be prepared to answer for its complicity in the growing culture of repression in Nigerian institutions of learning.

“Our Demands: An end to the unprovoked attack of students and campus journalists in UI.

“End to students’ victimisation – Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin, for opposing hiked fees.

“Disciplinary actions against the Chief Security Officer and the security unit repressive misconduct. Respect for human dignity in the University of Ibadan.”