Crime & Court
Police Invasion of Ibadan Research Institute: Witnesses Narrate Ordeal
THERE has been conflicting narration of what truly transpires that led to Monday’s invasion of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Federal College of Agriculture and Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology all housed within the same premises at Moor Plantation, Apata Ibadan by men of the Oyo State Police Command. However, witnesses account shed more light on the furore as they narrated their ordeal.
The crisis, as gathered started on Monday morning when the students of Federal College of Agriculture were peacefully protesting against the leadership of the Provost of the institution, Dr. Babajide Adelekan.
According to the students, they were tired of prolonged strikes by workers of the institution and various crises that have been confronting his administration.
Mr. Emmanuel Olufemi Oladehinde, the Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), IAR&T chapter, who condemned the police for allegedly shooting on peacefully protesting students while giving his eye witness account noted that though the students blocked the road but suddenly, the police started shooting bullets and canisters on all on sight without regard to anyone.
One of the victims of the attack, a staff of IAR&T.
He narrated his ordeal further that the overzealous policemen led by a Divisional Police Officer ordered for his arrest and four other staff of the institution who were also brutalised by the same police.
Oladehinde disclosed that it took the intervention of the Area Commander who ordered for their release.
“I was at the spot, what really happened is that the students were making a peaceful demonstration, though they blocked the road, the policemen, they were there, suddenly, the police started shooting, so the students came inside the institute and the police officers said they cannot identify which one is staff and which one is student.
“So they started shooting gunshot, they started teargasing everybody on sight. I was even arrested, I was harassed. I went to the DPO and I said see, this is my identity, I am the NASU chairman of the institute, those one that were even arrested are staff of IAR&T and the DPO said they should arrest me too.
“I was arrested, they collected my wallet but later they returned my wallet to me, the police even stoned me, they stoned me in my hands and four of our staff were brutalised, they were detained, we went to the station to go and release them, it was the Area Commander that gave them the order that they should release them, so they were released.
“We took them to the hospital and we have discharged them from the hospital. But those that were shot are still in the UCH now, the information we learnt was that they are about to wheel the woman that was shot in the adornment to the theatre.
“So the second person, who was shot on the leg, is also there. That is the situation we found ourselves”, the chairman’s statement reads.
It would be recalled that the Oyo State Police Command through its Commissioner, Mr. Abiodun Odude claimed that no fewer than four policemen have been hospitalized after being injured during a clash between the police and students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Apata Ibadan, on Monday.
Odude also added that eight police vans were damaged in the clash.
“Four of them were injured and they are now in hospital. Eight police vans were destroyed too. We have to use force to push them back into the school. If you are students, it does not give you the liberty to break laws. Those who were arrested will be charged to court after due investigation”, the commissioner stressed.
Another staff of the institute who confided in our reporter demanded for thorough investigation of the police activities where several persons were injured.
The witness said, “there is a need to investigate the activities of the policemen, we don’t know who called them, what they did was very wrong. How can they just be shooting on innocent people like that?
“The police invaded the IAR&T and shot two of our staff and an IT student. Several other were also injured. I don’t have the picture now, but some of our staff and even students have the video. You can see, it is very unfortunate.
“And unfortunately, the bullets went straight to the innocent people, the old ones, it is not a rubber bullet, it is a real bullet.
“We shall see if it is rubber or real bullet, when they remove the bullets, that is when we will know who is lying”, he continued.
A staff who also spoke on the condition of anonymity lamented that the invasion has caused fear and psychological trauma to some of the staff especially the female who have made up their minds to resume to their places of work when the trouble started.
He, then appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris to as a matter of urgent importance investigate the overzealous policemen.
“It is bad for police in this era to invade an institution like this. The IG must hear this. This is condemnable and unfortunate. They have to pay for it”, he reiterated.
The Nigeria Police Force has vowed to sanction its officers caught in a viral video receiving money from Chinese nationals, describing the act as a disgraceful breach of professionalism and a violation of the Force’s core values.
In the now widely circulated footage, several Chinese individuals are seen handing out naira notes to uniformed Nigerian policemen, who were lined up in what appeared to be a well-orchestrated arrangement. The video has since sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians expressing outrage and calling for systemic reform within the police.
The disturbing scene, showing armed officers accepting cash in broad daylight, has raised serious questions about the integrity and discipline of personnel within the Force.
Reacting to the incident, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, issued a strong statement on Thursday condemning the officers’ actions as both “unprofessional and unethical.”
“The Nigeria Police Force has taken cognisance of a disturbing video making rounds in the media space, showing police officers receiving money from a Chinese national,” Adejobi stated.
“The Force has strongly condemned the conduct exhibited by the police officers in the video. The actions of the officers do not represent the established ethics, standards, and core values of the Nigeria Police Force.”
He further revealed that the officers involved have been identified and are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures, although he did not specify the nature of the sanctions to be meted out.
Adejobi assured members of the public that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate disciplinary actions would follow.
In addition, he issued a stern warning to individuals and corporate organisations who engage the services of police officers, particularly for private escorts and guard duties, urging them to refrain from acts capable of tarnishing the image of the Force.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby cautions individuals and organisations privileged to the services of police personnel, particularly as escorts and guards or other specialised services, to desist from any act capable of degrading the integrity of its officers and bringing the Force to disrepute,” he warned.
Amidst widespread public outrage over the collapse of a digital investment platform, CryptoBank Exchange (CBEX), which reportedly led to the loss of over N1.3 trillion in funds belonging to Nigerian investors, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated its earlier warnings against patronising Ponzi schemes.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the anti-graft agency had long taken steps to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of fraudulent investment schemes.
The CBEX platform, which reportedly crashed on Monday, left countless Nigerians unable to access their investments, sparking a flurry of emotional video testimonials and appeals for justice across social media platforms.
“You’ll recall that on March 11 this year, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, directed us to issue a public alert concerning 58 Ponzi scheme companies. We made that list public – that shows we were proactive,” Oyewale said.
“Regarding CBEX, we are fully aware of the situation and have been taking action. Before the outcry, we were already investigating; during the public response, we continued working, and even now, the work is ongoing.”
He stressed that the EFCC should not be blamed for the CBEX incident, noting that the platform is run by a Chinese digital trading firm with no legal ties to Nigeria.
“All the so-called offices people mentioned in Ibadan and elsewhere are not functional; the entire operation exists online,” he clarified.
Oyewale further explained that the EFCC has consistently warned Nigerians against online criminal schemes and that extensive public awareness efforts had already been made. He argued that the onus now rests on the public to be more discerning when investing their funds.
He highlighted the importance of the recently enacted Investment and Securities Act 2025, describing it as a robust legal instrument aimed at curbing unlawful investment practices.
“Any entity engaging in digital trading without a proper licence and compliance with extant laws is committing a criminal offence,” Oyewale stated.
He also cautioned Nigerians to scrutinise unrealistic investment promises.
“If someone says, ‘Bring your money and get a 100% return in 30 days,’ that’s not only impractical, it’s deceptive,” he noted. “Even with Nigeria’s prevailing interest rate at 27.5%, no legitimate investment yields such returns.”
He urged investors to verify the compliance of investment platforms with key financial regulations, including the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, the Proceeds of Crime Act, and the Terrorism Financing Act.
Despite the grim situation, Oyewale gave hope to victims, assuring that the EFCC is collaborating with global partners to recover the lost funds.
“We are already working with Interpol and other international development agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he confirmed.
“While the recovery process may not yield immediate results, we assure Nigerians that the EFCC will not abandon them. Escapism is not a solution – we are responsible and professional, and we will ensure justice is served.”
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday struck out the defamation suit filed against controversial blogger Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkblackman (VDM).
The suit was instituted by renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, and his son, rapper and activist Folarin Falana, widely known as Falz.
The case stemmed from comments and a video published by VDM on 24 September 2024 via his various social media platforms.
In separate suits, the Falanas sought N500 million each in damages, accusing the blogger of defaming them by alleging in the video that they had received N10 million from social media personality Idris Okuneye, a.k.a. Bobrisky, to pervert the course of justice.
The claimants contended that the defendant knowingly published unverified and false information with the intention of tarnishing their reputation. They further argued that the defamatory content remained accessible online, thereby causing continuous reputational damage.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, neither the claimants nor the defendant was present in court.
Counsel representing the defendant, Niyi Alagbe, standing in for Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that an application for a stay of proceedings had earlier been filed before Justice Fimisola Azeez.
Responding, the Falanas’ counsel, Omotayo Olatunbosun, confirmed receipt of the said application around 4:15 p.m. on Monday, but urged the court to hear the preliminary objection, which he noted was already ripe for hearing. He argued that the new application was merely a ploy to delay the proceedings.
Justice Matthias Dawodu, in his ruling, stated that the application was not part of the case file before him and questioned why he was being asked to continue hearing the matter when the substantive suit was before another judge.
He concluded that proceeding with the current suit would amount to an academic exercise, and accordingly, struck it out.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” the judge ruled.
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