In a shocking turn of events, the Enugu State Police Command reportedly conducted a raid at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, leading to the arrest of several students. The incident took place on Friday evening, amidst the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, which saw significant compliance across the state.
According to Donatus Okolieuwa, the President of the ESUT Students Union Government, the invasion was carried out by members of the anti-cult Unit of the Enugu State Police Command. Okolieuwa condemned the action as unacceptable and called for the intervention of Governor Peter Mbah to secure the release of the detained students.
The SUG president detailed the incident, stating that armed men arrived at the university’s cafeteria in two Hilux vans and a sienna bus. Upon their arrival, they fired a gunshot into the air, causing panic among the students present. The armed men then pursued and apprehended the students, as well as the cafeteria staff, security personnel, and even female students who were there to charge their electronic devices.
The Chief Security Officer of the university was initially unaware of the incident but later arrived at the scene with his team. It was then revealed that the armed men were members of the Anti-Cult Squad. While two members of the school’s security team were released, the remaining male students were taken into custody. The female students were eventually released but had their phones and power banks confiscated.
Expressing concern for the safety of students, Okolieuwa emphasized that the invasion undermined the security measures within the university. He stressed that the students should not be subjected to unwarranted harassment and called for immediate action to rectify the situation.
The incident at ESUT raises questions about the effectiveness of the Nigerian police force and its ability to address concerns of police brutality. Despite the #EndSARS protests in 2020, which resulted in the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), instances of police misconduct persist. The invasion of a federal institution by police officers targeting students further highlights the need for reforms within the force.
In 2022, Bolanle Raheem, a property lawyer, met a tragic end when a police officer with a reckless trigger finger took her life during a routine stop and search operation in Lagos. This distressing incident serves as yet another example of the brutality displayed by some members of the police force, raising serious doubts about their behavior and the need for accountability.
As the controversy surrounding the police invasion at ESUT unfolds, the public demands answers and actions to ensure the safety and well-being of students. It remains to be seen how the authorities will address this troubling incident and restore confidence in the security of educational institutions.
