The President of the Nasarawa State University Students’ Union Government, Oname Rabiu Tijani has reiterated the body’s earlier assertion that men of the Nigerian Army shot at the students during the last protest where three of the students were killed.
His account contradicts that of the Director of Army, Public Relations, Ibrahim Attahiru who claimed at a press conference on Wednesday that the “Army did not fire a single bullet”.
The students on Monday, February 25, 2013, in a spontaneous reaction to the persistent water scarcity in and around the institution, blocked the main gate, chanting solidarity songs.
The rally remained peaceful for about four hours until a detachment of troops stormed the area. In a bid to disperse the students, they reportedly fired live rounds which killed at least three students, injuring many others.
Speaking on ‘How Una See Am’, a live radio programme on Wazobia FM, Abuja monitored by our correspondent on Friday, the students’ leader narrated how the incident happened.
According to him, “Some soldiers initially arrived in two Hilux Vans. Later, another team arrived. Till now, we cannot exactly say who invited them.”
“Soon after, we started hearing gunshots. At that point I was at the Agwan Lambu junction (a community just over 100 meters to the school), with policemen who were very orderly. The gunshots continued while the soldiers were positioned at the High Court area close to the school gate.”
“Sensing danger, I walked up to them with my hands raised and politely introduced myself. Then one of them said: Very good, you are the one we are looking for. So you have the guts to ask your colleagues to fight the government”
“I said Sirs, this is not true; the SUG never called for protest. I tried to explain that it was a spontaneous event. Next thing they pushed me to the ground and beat me with sticks and kicked me with their boots.”
“While this lasted, the shootings resumed to scare away people because some students were advancing to plead with them. I later passed out.”
Also speaking on the programme, the SUG Senate President Chaku Reuben said the incident was unfortunate, saying the atmosphere suggested the security agents were on a raid of terrorists.
He gave the name of one of those who fell to the stray bullet as Aminu, a 400-Level Geography student.
The students said they, in company of National Association of Nigerian Students officials visited the Government House in Lafia to formally report the killings.
Part of their demands include re-opening of the school, adequate compensation of the deceased family and an inquiry that will bring to book, those who carried out the murder.
Several national and international civil society groups have condemned the incident, calling for prosecution of the culprits.
Sadly however, the Education Minister or ministry is yet to make a comment.
An official who spoke to Dailypost on condition of anonymity said the silence was because NSUK is a state-owned institution and that “the Federal Government was yet to take a position on the matter to avoid accusations that it was meddling in the state affair.”
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