The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council (JCC) Ondo Axis has condemned the unprovoked attack on Nigerian students in Ogbese Community, Ondo State, as they traveled to the 2025 NANS National Convention in Abuja.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, February 23, 2025, led to multiple injuries, destruction of property, and theft of mobile phones, with reports of extortion by the attackers.
NANS JCC Ondo described the assault as “barbaric” and an infringement on the rights and dignity of Nigerian students.
According to eyewitness accounts, at approximately 10am, a convoy of student leaders and union representatives from institutions across South West Nigeria departed from Akure, heading to Abuja.
The convoy, consisting of four buses and five cars, included the newly donated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus to NANS South West Zone D by President Bola Tinubu, as well as the Students’ Union buses from Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo; Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji; and the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba.
However, upon reaching Ogbese, the convoy was reportedly ambushed by a group of individuals who launched an unprovoked attack, leading to chaos and injuries among the students.
In response, NANS JCC Ondo has issued a seven-day ultimatum to security agencies and the Ondo State Government to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
The association has also called for immediate intervention to prevent further attacks on students traveling through the area.
They said that Nigerian students would not tolerate such reckless endangerment of their lives.
They alleged that If justice is not served within seven days, they will be forced to take necessary actions to protect their rights.
The statement read, “Upon reaching Ogbese, a Toyota Camry attempted to force its way through the convoy at high speed. The lead driver cautiously signalled for the vehicle to slow down to ensure safe passage.
“However, in a shocking act of aggression, the Camry driver threw a sachet of water at one of the convoy’s drivers, who instinctively responded by tossing it back into the Camry. This led to an escalation, as the Camry aggressively maneuvered to the front of the CNG bus, blocked the road, and forced the entire convoy to halt.
“A group of men, some appearing to be in their late twenties and others in their thirties, emerged from the Camry wielding wooden sticks and violently attacked the newly donated CNG bus, breaking its windows and damaging vital parts.
“They then proceeded to attack the Adekunle Ajasin University Students’ Union bus, forcefully pulling out the driver and physically assaulting him. When Comrade Fadiran Abiola (Fadirex) intervened in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, he was also viciously attacked,” they said.
According to the association, the situation quickly spiralled into chaos as more individuals from the community emerged, armed with dangerous weapons, including cutlasses, knives, and additional sticks.
“These assailants openly expressed hostility towards Nigerian students, launching violent attacks on several members of the convoy. One student suffered a severe machete wound, resulting in excessive bleeding.
“This is not an isolated incident. Reports indicate that Ogbese youths have a history of targeting Nigerian students, with previous attacks recorded against Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and Adekunle Ajasin University union buses in recent years.”
They explained that during the attack, the Chairman of NANS JCC Ondo, Comrade Oluwarotimi Tobiloba Joshua (Josh), made efforts to de-escalate the situation through dialogue.
However, in a disgraceful act of violence, one of the attackers struck him on the back with a stick. The Students’ Union President of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Comrade Shane Aigbodion, intervened and sustained a wound to his hand while trying to shield the Chairman from further harm.
“As the situation became increasingly life-threatening, the Chairman instructed students to board their buses and vacate the scene immediately.
“Upon reaching the Ogbese border, the incident was promptly reported to uniformed police officers. Shockingly, instead of taking immediate action, they advised that the Commissioner of Police be contacted.
They also alleged that their calls to the Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Ogbese area, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) went unanswered.
“The NANS JCC Ondo Chairman eventually reached out to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who assured that the matter would be addressed. However, despite waiting for over three hours, no security intervention was provided.
“In response, the students organised a peaceful protest demanding justice, which resulted in significant traffic congestion. Notably, the police failed to confront the attackers, possibly out of fear or complicity. It was only the intervention of military personnel that restored order. Alarmingly, even the military confirmed that Ogbese youths have a history of lawlessness and violence.”
The NANS South West Coordinator, Comrade Owolewa Taiwo, also condemned the attack and called on the Ondo State Government and security agencies to take immediate action.
They said that by the time military personnel arrived, the attackers had already fled, emboldened by their belief that they were above the law.
The statement continues, “This is an urgent call to the Ondo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and all relevant security agencies to swiftly intervene and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous attack are identified, arrested, and prosecuted. Nigerian students will not tolerate such barbarism any longer.
“We demand justice, and as a matter of urgency, we issue a seven-day ultimatum from the date of this incident for concrete action to be taken against those responsible for this attack. Failure to act will leave us with no choice but to take lawful but decisive steps to protect the safety and dignity of Nigerian students.
“The NANS JCC Ondo remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights of students and ensuring that no student in Ondo State or beyond is subjected to violence or oppression.
“The era of unchecked brutality against Nigerian students must end now,” the association added.
