A protest by students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic escalated into violence on Wednesday, leading to an attack on the convoy of the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
The deputy governor was on her way to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, to represent Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony when the incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses reported that the students, who were agitating for undisclosed reasons, blocked the road and prevented free movement of vehicles.
The situation worsened when they recognized the deputy governor’s convoy. Armed with sticks and other objects, the students reportedly attacked her convoy, damaging several security vehicles and injuring members of her security team.
A statement released by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the incident. He stated, “Immediately the students realised it was the deputy governor, they became even more restive and rushed to attack her convoy with intention of demobilising it, despite her security operatives as well as other police officers persuasion to stay calm and allow the convoy pass.”
To avoid further escalation, Salako-Oyedele made an immediate retreat to her official residence, allowing the protesters to disperse before resuming her journey to the event.
The protest caused significant disruption to traffic as students blocked the road, making it difficult for other motorists to navigate the area. Efforts to pacify the protesters reportedly failed as they persisted in their demands and actions.
