EDUCATION: ONDO STUDENTS PROTEST COLLEAGUES’ IMPRISONMENT, BLOCK ROADS

Hundreds of students in Ondo State protested in Akure on Wednesday against the imprisonment of some of their colleagues.

The protest followed a magistrate court’s decision to remand the students from Akoko Area, in prison, after an alleged altercation with the state Attorney General, Mr. Kayode Ajulo.

Among those detained is James Akeju, the President of the Akoko Youth Forum and former Student Union President of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic.

The protesters blocked roads leading to the state secretariat and Federal Secretariat for several hours, chanting solidarity songs and demanding the immediate release of Akeju and others.

They brought cooking utensils to emphasize that they would not leave until their colleagues were freed.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, urged the protesters to leave, but they refused.

Adegboyega Afe, Coordinator of the Ondo State Youth Network, said the charges against the detained youths—such as cyberbullying and threats to life—were unfounded.

He added, “We followed the process; it was very unlawful. They were not informed about the charges before being sent to court.”

Oladimeji Adewunmi, National Social Director of Akoko Youth Forum, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene, stressing that they would not back down.

“Our only offence was visiting a public office to invite them to an event. We demand the immediate release of Akeju and the two other detained youths. We will not leave this protest until justice is served.”

Yomisaint Adebayo, Technical Adviser to the Attorney General, said the detained youths were arraigned following a police investigation into various offenses, including assault, conspiracy and cybercrime.

He assured that the matter would be swiftly addressed and the public’s calm was needed.