By Mustapha Aleem
Violence was said to have erupted in some major areas of Osogbo as students of the Osun State University took over the streets to protest the shooting of some of their colleagues by some yet to be identified men of the Nigerian Police.
According to an eye witness, simply called, Adibosi, “some policemen came in unmarked vehicles to our residence at Oke Baale this morning, when some students were playing football. Suddenly they started shooting at them and two of the students were hit as a result.”
He said the policemen came to harass the students in order to get some money from them, saying it was not their first time.
He further stated that, one of the victims, identified as makanaki, was a con artist and was always fleeced by some policemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad.
Adibosi however said, subsequent to the mishap, some students, who went to lodge complaints at the State Criminal Investigation Department, were told that the policemen could not be identified by the force.
Another student, Oyetola, said ever since he got to that hostel, policemen had always come from time to time to collect something from some of his colleagues, who dressed like a con artist.
A visit by our correspondent revealed that the students have taken over some of the major streets in Osogbo, namely Olaiya, Oke Baale and Jaleyemi, where Our Lady and Saint Fatima Hospital, which is housing the students who were hit is situated as a scores of them observed burning tires on the major road, chanting not to stop except the Commissioner of police did something about it.
It was also gathered that it has degenerated into a mass riot that has now boxed Olaiya, Oke Baale and Jaleyemi
Motorist were said to have abandoned their vehicles following the presence of a large number of irate students armed with guns and other weapons.
Some students of Our Lady and Saint Francis Catholic College, who went for extension were also seen running for their safety and had to go home through Ilesha garage.
The protesting students also threatened to further upturn the peace of the state if the students died, while some of them shot angrily in the air.
Another person, who pleaded anonymity said his brother who drove truck just informed him that he was stuck in a hold up at Olaiya due to the ongoing demonstration.
As at the time of filing this report, the management of the Osun State University, was yet to take any step on the matter, while the Commissioner of police had also not shown up.
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