THE Ogun State deputy governor, Engr (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, on Wednesday afternoon escaped being attacked by protesting students in Oke Ilewo area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
The incident, the Nigerian Tribune, gathered happened when the protesters, whom were reported to be students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, took to the streets, protesting hike in tuition fee, non-mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme among other issues.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the convoy of the deputy governor was on its way to the 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala, Abeokuta, to represent the Governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the reception marking the year 2025, Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
The governor’s aide said that the protesting students were armed with sticks and other dangerous projectiles, and that all efforts to allow the convoy to pass proved abortive.
He stated that immediately the students realized it was the deputy governor, they became even more restive and rushed to attack her convoy, despite persuasions by her security operatives.
Akinmade said, “This informed her convoy decision to make an immediate detour to her lodge for the protesting students to pass peacefully before she left for the function she was slated to attend.
“Noteworthy is that there was obstruction of vehicular movement.”
When contacted, the chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun JCC, Comrade Adeyanju Francis, said there was no attack on the deputy governor’s convoy.
Adeyanju added that the protesting students were surprised at the sudden detour of the convoy, and that they assembled themselves when they saw the convoy of the Deputy Governor, thinking she was coming to address them on the matter.
He said that six Divisional Police Officers (DPO), including a Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations were with them throughout the protest.
“There was no way we could probably have attacked the deputy governor’s convoy,” he said.
READ ALSO: Administrative cadre remains custodian of service —Ogun deputy governor