Tuition Fee Hike: Four Protesters Assaulted, Detained By University Of Ibadan Security Team Handed Over To Oyo Operation Burst Soldiers

Four protesters including an activist, Femi Adeyeye, who were arrested and detained by the security team of the University of Ibadan on Monday are now in custody of Operation Burst soldiers in Oyo State.

 

SaharaReporters learnt that Adeyeye, Nice Linus, Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegbesin were dragged and beaten by the security team for protesting against the recent tuition fee hike in the school before being handed over to Operation Burst soldiers.

 

Adeyeye is also the National Publicity Secretary of the African Action Congress (AAC).

 

Adeyeye confirmed to SaharaReporters on Monday that they were assaulted by the school’s security team before being handed over to Operation Burst during a #FeesMustFall protest in the school.

“We are presently at Operation Burst. UI security officers swooped on us as I joined UI students to raise placards inside the hall directly at the VC.

 

“They dragged us, beat us and then called soldiers from Operation Burst,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Take It Back Movement has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the protesters.

 

“@activistfemi, Aduwo Gabriel, and two others have now been traced to the Operation burst office at Ibadan after they were arrested, and assaulted by @HQNigerianArmy officers for protesting the fee increment in UI. We demand their immediate and unconditional release!” it posted on its X handle on Monday.

 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the students and the activist were detained at the school’s security post.

 

Efforts made to reach the school management for comments failed.

 

In April, SaharaReporters reported that the UI Students’ Union Executive Council, led by Samuel Samson Tobiloba, had condemned the hike in tuition by 750 per cent for new students.

 

The Council demanded that the increment should immediately be reverted to the status quo and requested a meeting with the university management towards resolving this issue.

 

The students’ union leadership made its position known following the reflection of the recent increment on the students’ portal.

 

In a special release, the union observed that the new fees range from N133,500 to N372,500, depending on the courses.

 

“We note with concern that this increment represents about 450% to 750% of the previous bundle fee which ranged from about N20,000 to N30,000,” the students' body said, noting that it was not in support of the increment.

 

It, however, advised fresh students to exercise patience and not rush to pay the new fee.

 

It condemned the “increment in strong terms, and requested that this proposed increment be reverted to the status quo”.

 

"We are also requesting for a meeting with the University Management towards resolving this issue," it said.

 

According to Indy Press, a student publication, the Students’ Representative Council (UI’SRC) led by Rt. Hon. Omotunde Olamide on April 11, 2024, called for an emergency sitting in a bid to determine the union’s stance regarding the inflated fee for incoming students.