The Students’ Union Government of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, has accused officers of the Nigerian Police Force of brutalising student leaders and firing live rounds at unarmed undergraduates during a confrontation at the Oru-Ijebu Police Division in Ogun State.

The clash reportedly began after rumours spread on campus that some students had been arrested under what the union described as “unclear and questionable” circumstances. In response, the Students’ Union Legal Director was dispatched to the Oru-Ijebu station to verify the claims and seek clarification from officers on duty.

According to a detailed statement issued by the union and signed by its President, Kehinde Bamigbose, and General Secretary, Olajire Emmanuel, the Legal Director was allegedly attacked inside the station while attempting to engage the police “in a lawful and civil manner.” The union claimed he was kicked, choked and “violently manhandled” by officers, in what it called a degrading and unlawful assault.

The statement further alleged that another student who accompanied the Legal Director was slapped during the encounter, an act the union said underscored a pattern of “gross violation of human dignity, professional ethics, and the rule of law.”

On receiving reports of the alleged assault, the union said its president and other student leaders mobilised to the station to intervene and calm tensions. However, the situation reportedly escalated instead of easing.

The SUG alleged that officers responded with force, opening fire to disperse the gathering. One student was said to have been shot in the hand, while several others were allegedly beaten and arrested amid what witnesses described as chaos and panic triggered by continuous gunfire. The union also claimed that bystanders were caught up in the violence, leaving many residents and students in fear.

Describing the incident as a clear abuse of power, the union condemned what it called the transformation of law enforcement officers into “agents of terror” against citizens they are mandated to protect. It demanded an immediate, transparent investigation, prosecution of any officers found culpable, full medical care and compensation for injured students, and the unconditional release of all those allegedly detained.

The Ogun State Police Command has publicly denied detaining any student in connection with the incident, leaving sharply conflicting accounts between the authorities and the student body over what transpired at the Oru-Ijebu division.