UNILAG: “Thanks for arresting, torturing me on my big day” – graduating student tells Nigeria Police
It’s your big day and everyone – family, friends, colleagues and bosses – is there to rejoice with you. But then you got arrested, and tortured because your brother took a photo of protesting students.
It wasn’t the kind of graduation you hoped for but University of Lagos (UNILAG) alumnus Segun Olawoye, who experienced the aforementioned, said he loved every bit of it.
Segun took part in UNILAG convocation which began Tuesday and will end on Thursday. He graduated from the Department of Psychology.
Dotun, Segun’s younger brother, was inside the convocation hall filming rusticated students who protested against the school management. The students were suspended for criticizing the school authorities. Dotun was arrested along with the protesters who were led by Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore.
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“This is live in Sabo Police Station. I have been beaten and held down here by policemen at the Station led by one Adeoye Sunday because I came to see my brother, Dotun and Femi Adeyeye who were taken from UNILAG campus few minutes ago,” Segun wrote on Instagram.
“They told me they have been moved to Painti and I simply asked if they could oblige me with the DPO’s number as that a senior comrade requested I get her contact so she could converse with her since the DOO was there during the arrest in campus and directed they be moved to the Station. They tortured me on this basis only, and were also angry that I wanted to answer a call by those who were calling to ask if I have located the young men that were arrested.
“I told them I am a journalist and a graduating student where they came to arrest the young men, but it did not matter to them until an ‘Oga at the top’ learned of it and called them to allow me go.
“Is this what Policing means in Nigeria? These men aren’t trained on human rights. They just think they have power to torture anyone because they possess guns and police uniform.”
“I was tortured and detained briefly. The policemen removed my graduation gown while I was still wondering what they meant by ‘commot that yeye thing you’re wearing’.
“It immediately reminded me how another one had told Dr. Joe Odumakin, who is one of my guests on my convocation some unprintable names because she said the boy they were severely torturing (my brother) was too young for what they were doing to him.
“I don’t know what the PoliceNG is turning into. But the journey to redemption has started.
“In the end, no one enjoyed this convocation better than I did today! Consciousness is greater reward unto you than a first-class conferred for just cramming textbooks and pouring back in the exams -but with a lost soul.
“This is greater baptism for me! Thanks to you all; Omoyele Sowore; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; UNILAG Alpha Base; Sabo Police Station; Panti; Owoseni Fatai -Commissioner of Police; Lawyers; Journalists; Activists; Scholars and Everybody! Struggle Continues!!!”
We’ve contacted Lagos police spokesperson Dolapo Badmus for comments. We’ll let you know when she responds.
