Education Group, ERC Vows To Sustain Protests Against Fee Hike At University Of Ibadan

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has vowed to sustain its opposition to university fee hike, calling for a series of peaceful mass actions by Nigerian students.

This was as four student activists who were arrested on Monday by the police at the instance of the Prof Adebowale-led administration of the University of Ibadan (UI) regained their freedom unconditionally.

SaharaReporters had reported how four protesters including an activist, Femi Adeyeye, who were arrested and detained by the security team of the University of Ibadan on Monday were moved into the 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, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the African Action Congress (AAC) 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.

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

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They were arrested during the swearing-in event organised by the university administration for the newly elected leadership of the Students Union.

However, though the student activists have been released, the ERC, UI branch in a statement condemned their arrest in its totality. 

The group said that “It was unlawful and an infringement of their rights to  freedom of expression as guaranteed in the necessary provisions of the Nigeria constitution as amended. 

“As far as we are concerned in the ERC, the hike in school fees remains an attack on students’ right to education and we shall continue to identify with genuine effort and initiative to resist and defeat it. 

“We reiterate our call on the newly elected students union leadership to call a Congress to democratically decide how to organise a series of mass resistance of students against any form  of fee hike. 

“Finally, we commend the courage exhibited by the arrested student activists and their determination and commitment to continue to deepen the agitation against fee hike despite the harassment and arrest. 

“We also commend the prompt intervention of their lawyers and activists, something that ensured their quick and unconditional release. 

“We shall  continue to stand with students against any form of  increment in school fees and for better learning and living conditions in the university.”