Victor Olojede, the Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Students' Affairs, has denied and condemned allegations linking him to a clash between protesters and members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ibadan on Tuesday, May 2.
In an interview, Olojede described the allegations as fraudulent and misleading. The confrontation reportedly occurred at a Conoil filling station near the University of Ibadan. At the time, NANS leaders, led by Olojede, were on their way to Orire Local Government Area following the abduction of students and teachers, which occurred about three weeks earlier.
Background of the Incident
Olojede explained that his team stopped at the Conoil petrol station, a few meters from the University of Ibadan First Gate, to refuel their vehicles. He said, “After the Governor met with NUT, NLC, and NANS, we departed. NUT and NLC continued with their protest while I led NANS on a visit to Orire Local Government over the recent abduction of students in the state.”
According to Olojede, the NANS leadership had earlier informed the state government of plans to visit Oyo State to advocate for the release of the abducted students and engage security agencies on the matter. The government welcomed the initiative and facilitated engagements with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and affected communities.
How the Clash Erupted
Olojede noted that the state government approved adjustments to a planned curfew and advised the student leaders on peaceful conduct. Concerns about a possible confrontation between NANS members and protesters from Omoyele Sowore's Take It Back Movement arose due to previous disagreements between the groups.
After a meeting involving NANS, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers at the Governor's Office, intelligence reports indicated that protesters had gathered at the main gate of the State Government Secretariat. Consequently, the groups were directed through an alternative route to avoid confrontation.
Olojede narrated that his NANS-led team, en route to Orire Local Government, was attacked by some Take It Back Movement protesters who approached them at the filling station and questioned their decision not to join the protest. “While we were at the Conoil station to buy fuel, some protesters came to confront the NANS leadership, asking why they did not join the protest. NANS explained that they had their own agenda and initiative they were pursuing,” he said.
The situation escalated after some protesters allegedly mobilized additional supporters to the filling station. “They went to mobilize more people, and we saw students entering the filling station. That was where the confrontation started,” he added.
Olojede Denies Involvement in Violence
Responding to allegations that he directed attacks on protesters, Olojede denied claims by the Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo State, who said he instructed individuals to assault demonstrators. “I did not even see him at the venue. Nigerians should ask him if he actually saw me there. I never spoke to him,” Olojede declared.
The governor’s aide also denied allegations that he discharged a firearm during the incident. “I have never held firearms,” he stated. Olojede further said his actions during the incident were aimed at de-escalating tensions and protecting those involved.
He refuted social media videos suggesting he pointed out individuals for attack and denied ever handling a firearm. One circulating clip showed him directing a man wearing a cap associated with the protesters to leave the area, which he cited as evidence of his effort to prevent violence rather than instigate it.
He added that he personally intervened to remove some individuals from the scene and facilitated the return of a camera allegedly seized from a female journalist covering the event. “If I was coordinating an attack, why would I tell them to return her camera?” he queried.
Aide Claims Sowore Now Oppressing Others
Olojede maintained that he was committed to ensuring peace and order during the exercise and urged the public to disregard allegations linking him to the violence. “Everything I am saying is the truth. I am not adding anything, and I am not subtracting anything.”
“I have received more than 300 calls addressing this issue. I appeal to members of the public to know that the Take It Back Movement were the ones who attacked us.”
While maintaining that the leader of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, had not been fair in his handling of the issue, Olojede alleged that the Take It Back Movement leader, who has previously claimed to be oppressed, is now oppressing others. “Omoyele Sowore, who has been shouting he was being oppressed, is now the one oppressing me,” Olojede declared.
Oyo Government Dismisses Viral Abduction Release Claim
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Oyo State government dismissed a viral video claiming that abducted pupils and teachers from Orire Local Government Area had been released. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the footage as false and misleading, warning that it was causing confusion and distress among affected families and residents.
