Kwara Police React To KWASU Students Attack On Police Station

Ilorin, Kwara State– The Kwara State Police Command on Friday, issued a response following an unprecedented attack on the Molete Police Station by students of the Kwara State University (KWASU).

It would be recalled that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly conducted raids and arrested several students of Kwara State University, Malete.

In viral videos seen by Afrika Eyes on Thursday, the students were seen running for safety while gunshots were heard in the background.

In a statement issued on Friday, February 23, 2024, by DSP Ajire Adeyemi-Toun, the spokesperson for the police command, disclosed that the students encountered a white Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number Lagos AGL 574 HZ, occupied by four armed policemen from Ila-orangun and were mistaken for operatives of Drug Law Enforcement Agents.

The statement read; “The attention of Kwara State Police Command has been drawn to a video circulating on the social media space. The Commissioner of Police, CP VICTOR OLAIYA (psc+) seeks to address the recent gatherings by students of Kwara State University (KWASU) yesterday, February 22, 2024.

“Reports indicate that the gatherings, which began at about 1600hrs, centred around grievances related to the recent raids on Black-spots around the schools premises by operatives of NDLEA. Students living off Campus,expressed their dissent, marched from various parts of the town to Okoru Junction close to Malete Police Division, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Say No to NDLEA”.

According to the image maker, efforts were made to engage with the students persuading them to return to their respective hostels and maintain peace. In the process, they encountered a white Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number Lagos AGL 574 HZ, occupied by four armed policemen from Ila-orangun led by Inspr Ibrahim Ali and three others on an official assignment to Malete.

“They were mistaken for operatives of Drug Law Enforcement Agents. Consequently, the students chased them to Malete Divisional Police Headquarters, where the Students began to throw Stones into the Police Station.

“Regrettably, this led to some damages to the rooftop of the mosque and wind screen of vehicles parked in the station. The Policemen fired tear gas cannisters to disperse the violent crowd to prevent further damage at the police station.

“Additionally, one police officer, PC Fayemi Kehinde, sustained minor injuries as a result of the stones thrown at the police station. He was given First Aid treatment at the hospital and discharged, she added.

Meanwhile, the DPO Shao Division and three other tactical teams are presently on ground to support the efforts in de-escalating the situation.

The CP urged all students of KWASU involved in this act to exercise some restraints and work towards resolving issues through peaceful dialogue.