THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said on Tuesday, April 16, that it would investigate the alleged attack and counterattack launched by the factional leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs).
The attack, as observed by The ICIR, resulted in serious injury to at least three members who were believed to be affiliated with the organisation.
Some yet-to-be-identified persons seriously assaulted one of those injured.
One of the victims is currently undergoing surgery in an Abuja hospital, The ICIR can confirm.
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In a video shared by the media aide of the Kwara State governor, Ibraheem Abdulateef, on his X page on Tuesday, April 16, some people with cutlasses ran into a peaceful setting of some group of people and attacked them.
They also destroyed an 18-seater bus with the pictures and name of one of NANS’ factional leaders, Chibuzo Obi Pedro, who was tagged as the organisation’s president on the bus.
The attack, which happened on Monday, April 15, in Area 8, Abuja, took place shortly after the factional president, Pedro, left a meeting they held regarding their inauguration.
Calling on the attention of the Police Force public relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Abdulateef wrote: “ Hello esteemed PPRO @Princemoye1, Are you aware of the attacks and counter-attacks factional NANS leaders have been launching against one another in Abuja? A young man from Kwara was caught in the latest at Zone 8 and was butchered to near death in broad daylight. It is crazy.
“The Force should invite the leadership for questioning before we have a further breach of law and order and a possible loss of life. This is criminality on the loose.”
Meanwhile, reacting to the post, the FCT police command, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the police were aware of the incident and were looking into the matter.
The statement reads: “The FCT police command is aware of the news making rounds about the recent attacks and counterattacks launched by the factional NANS leaders against one another in the Federal Capital Territory and therefore wishes to state that the police command has commenced an investigation into the matter and is ensuring no disruption of peace being enjoyed by residents is allowed. Further development would be communicated.”
This incident has, however, generated public outrage as many Nigerians called on the authorities to wade into it and bring those behind it to justice.
Some also called on the authorities to suspend or reform the student body, citing its transformation into a tool of Nigerian politicians.
The ICIR gathered that following its last year’s elections, NANs has had two leadership camps fighting for recognition.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M