However, in a disturbing incident early Thursday morning, July 11, 2024, at 3:00 am, Mr. Chris Olamiju, a Deputy Registrar and prominent protest leader, was forcibly taken from his residence in the FCET Akoka Senior Staff Quarters in Yaba, Lagos.
For six weeks, the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka community has been holding peaceful protests, alleging administrative and financial misconduct by Provost Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez.
However, in a disturbing incident early Thursday morning, July 11, 2024, at 3:00 am, Mr. Chris Olamiju, a Deputy Registrar and prominent protest leader, was forcibly taken from his residence in the FCET Akoka Senior Staff Quarters in Yaba, Lagos.
Eyewitnesses describe the abduction, reportedly carried out by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, as reminiscent of Gestapo tactics, raising concerns about the use of excessive force and intimidation.
According to the Caretaker Committee of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the raid resulted in Mr. Olamiju being severely attacked and his personal property, including important documents, phones, and laptops, being seized, spreading panic and dread among residents of the FCE(T) Akoka Senior Staff Quarters.
The incident has left Mr. Olamiju's family, including his wife, children, and other relatives, in a state of extreme distress and disorientation, traumatized by the violent abduction and invasion of their home, COEASU CTC also said.
It said, “This is happening despite the presence of the Chairman and members of the Governing Council at the college for the past three days on a fact-finding mission aimed at resolving the ongoing impasse.
“The DSS raid on Mr. Chris Olamiju's residence demonstrates a profound disrespect toward the Council members.
“This incident highlights the arrogance and disdain with which Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez has been conducting himself in relation to staff members and those in positions of authority.
“We urgently appeal to the Director-General of the DSS, the Minister of Education, National Assembly, the President of Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene swiftly and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Chris Olamiju.
“This plea is urgent in order to prevent tensions, and massive protest that could potentially escalate to actions leading to widespread strikes among staff at FCE(T) Akoka and possibly other Federal and State Colleges of Education across Nigeria.”
The committee called for an end to tyranny, oppression, injustice and intimidation.
Attempts to contact the DSS for a statement were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, did not respond to multiple phone calls or a text message sent to his mobile phone. As of the time of this report, efforts to reach him remained unsuccessful.