Three Shot As Police, Students Clash In Ibadan
The lingering crisis rocking the Federal College of Agriculture (FCA), Apata, Ibadan, turned bloody on Monday, as no fewer than three persons were reportedly shot as police resisted protesting students of the college.
About eight other persons, including four policemen, were also injured during the early Monday protest.
Students of the institution had yesterday staged a protest to express their displeasure over the continued closure of the institution, as a result of the face - off between the labour unions and Provost of the college, Dr. Babajide Adelekan.
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) have demanded for Adelekan's removal.
As a result of this, three weeks after resumption, students of the college were yet to return to the classroom, as workers stayed away from duties, insisting that protest would continue until the Provost is removed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The unions have accused the Adelekan of compromising the standard of the foremost college of agriculture since three years ago when he assumed the office as Provost.
Provoked by the continued closure of the college, scores of FCA students yesterday morning barricaded entrances into the school, made bonfires, and carried stormed placards, demanding the immediate opening of the school for academic works.
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The protest, however, turned bloody when a team of policemen stormed the college with a armoured personnel carrier (APC) and four pick up vans, as the protesting students started to throw stones at the police.
Eyewitness told newsmen that the students were provoked by the heavy arms brought by the police, saying it was uncalled for in a school environment.
The police, in retaliation, reportedly started shooting sporadically, and in the process, no fewer than three persons, including staff of the neighbouring College of Animal Health and I. A. R & T, were hit by bullets.
Sources at the college informed newsmen that seven other persons, including Mrs. Adekanmi and Mr. Lanre Johnson, were injured by the police.
Femi Emmanuel, Chairman of I. A. R& T' s Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), informed that his members hit by bullets were receiving medical treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Confirming the incident, the FCA's Rector in a telephone chat said the management of the college did invite police, adding that police were attracted to the scene when the protesting students disrupted vehicular movement along Ibadan-Abeokuta Road.
Also in his reaction, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, said that four policemen were in hospital after being injured during a clash between the police and students of the college.
The commissioner added that eight police vans were damaged, as the students trooped to the Ibadan-Abeokuta road as early as 630am, blocking the main road linking Oyo and Ogun states.
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