…Warns against further harassment of students
…Says EFCC must apologize to College, SUG, NANS
By Bukayo Agboluaje, Ibadan
The Nigerian Association of Nigerian  Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, on Friday, called on the Oyo  State Government and the Federal Government to direct the Police to arrest some  erring officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC}  over the clash that ensued  at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, involving students of the college and some officers of the anti-corruption agency.
The Southwest Coordinator {Zone D}, Comrade John Alao, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, warned the EFCC to stop its rascality against Nigerian Students.
Alao said it was ridiculous and reckless for a government agency to invade a federal institution of learning and to attack students on their campus, a place where they ordinarily should feel safe.
The student leader stated that the action of these EFCC officers should be frowned upon by all Nigerian students across the country.
The NANS leader berated EFCC, saying it was amusing that the EFCC Spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale in his statement to the media instead of owning up to their fault and excesses, would dish out lies to absolve his operatives from their reckless actions without taking stock of what truly transpired.
He added that no prior official notice was given to the management of the institution before it was invaded by EFCC Operatives.
The student leader said: ‘’On Tuesday morning, we were hit with the sad development of the invasion of the College of Forestry Campus, Jericho, Ibadan and the shooting of innocent students, by operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission.
‘’It is ridiculous and reckless for a government agency to invade a federal institution of learning and to attack students on their campus, a place where they ordinarily should feel safe.
‘The action of these EFCC officers is frowned upon by the generality of Nigerian Students across all states in Southwest, Nigeria.
‘’It is not rocket science to discharge the roles assigned by law to the EFCC and it is also common sense to know that it’s unreasonable to shoot at unarmed students no matter the provocation.
‘’It’s amusing that the EFCC Spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale in his statement to the media instead of owning up to their fault and excesses, would dish out lies to absolve his operatives from their reckless actions without taking stock of what truly transpired.
‘’Contrary to his claim that the operatives of the commission refrained from applying a force, we have some of our students with bullet wounds from the incident undergoing treatment in the hospital.
‘’We also have it on good authority that no prior official notice was given to the management of the institution before it was invaded by EFCC Operatives.
‘’It’s become a well known fact that EFCC Operatives are notorious for having no respect whatsoever for the rights of citizens as enshrined in our constitution’’.
Against this backdrop, the student body made a five-point demand, saying: ‘’First, the EFCC should tender an unreserved apology to the College management, Students Union Government, NANS and Oyo State Students populace.
‘’Second, compensation to the injured students and to the College in the event that properties of the institution was destroyed during the incident.
‘’Third, we call on the State Government and the Federal Government to direct the Police to arrest and prosecute the erring EFCC officers.
‘’Four, we also call on the management to reopen the college within the next 5 working days, our students are eager to return to the classroom and continue with their studies.
‘’Five, that henceforth, no armed officer of any security outfit or government agency would be allowed or tolerated to enter into any of our campuses in Oyo State and other institutions in southwest, Nigeria’’.
It also demanded the total reform of the rule of engagement for operatives of EFCC.