Armed operatives wey dem identify as officers of Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday morning reportedly storm private residence of Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Abayomi O. Ogunwole, for one early-morning operation. Sources tell SaharaReporters say the operation aim na to take him go Lagos over a fresh petition.
SaharaReporters learn say the operatives arrive the Vice-Chancellor quarters around 6:20am and force their way enter the compound. The move cause tension among residents and university officials.
Sources tell SaharaReporters say when the armed policemen gain access to the premises, dem threaten to shoot the guard dogs wey dey resident to neutralise any resistance to their operation. According to the sources, the officers also make am clear say their intention na to take Professor Ogunwole into custody and transport him directly go Lagos.
The development reportedly trigger swift mobilisation inside university community as news of the operation spread across campus. Staff members and students rush to the Vice-Chancellor residence, and the large gathering eventually create significant pressure on the police team.
Sources talk say intervention of several key individuals, alongside presence of plenty university staff and students, help de-escalate the situation and ultimately force the Lagos police operatives to withdraw from the premises.
The circumstances around the operation link to ongoing dispute involving petitions against current administration of the university, according to sources wey know the matter. Preliminary information SaharaReporters obtain indicate say the latest development connect to a petition co-authored by Dr Kehinde Adetola of Faculty of Law and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
The latest police action dey said to be part of series of petition and legal-related developments involving university administration. Sources talk say shortly after Osun State governorship elections, the current Vice-Chancellor was previously detained on directive of Inspector-General of Police over separate petition allegedly written by same individuals. He was, however, subsequently released on bail on personal recognition.
Despite the subsisting bail arrangement, the complainants allegedly submit another petition to Lagos State Police Command, resulting in Wednesday morning operation at the Vice-Chancellor residence in Ekiti State.
The decision to involve Lagos State Police Command, despite the Vice-Chancellor dey based in Ekiti State and university dey located in Oye-Ekiti, reportedly raise questions inside university community about jurisdictional basis and circumstances around the operation. Sources explain say the fresh petition was pursued through Lagos police authorities rather than through relevant authorities in Ekiti State.
The development heighten concerns among members of university community, who question why armed police officers from Lagos go travel to Ekiti State for early hours of morning to effect arrest of Vice-Chancellor over petition when there was already existing bail arrangement.
Sources further explain say Dr Adetola don be able to exert considerable influence in the matter because of family connection inside Nigeria Police Force. According to sources, Dr Adetola biological brother na serving police officer, and dem allege say the connection may don facilitate involvement of Lagos State Police Command in the matter.
The operation also generate concerns among staff and students over increasingly tense relationship between different factions inside university community.
