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Protesting students at the main gate of the University of Ibadan(UI) reportedly had a face-off with a team of the Nigerian Army, who tried to force their way through blockage by the students
The students were protesting against the ongoing Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU) strike
According to The PUNCH, the students were almost falling off as the military vehicle attempted to advance through them.
The students had gathered at the front gate of the university for a protest, calling on the Federal Government to see to the demands of the striking lecturers in order to fast-track the reopening of public institutions which have been shut down for 88 days.
One of the students, identified simply as Lolo, who narrated the incident to newsmen, said: “The police had already blocked major roads because of the protest, so we also barricaded our side too, but the soldiers just came, suddenly came down with a gun.
“He even cocked his gun as if he was going to shoot, and everybody was surprised. Maybe he was angry or triggered, if his bosses were not there, he would have shot at us.”
Another protester said: “Yes, they almost ran over us, they cocked gun.”
The students resumed protest as Thursday’s meeting between ASUU and Federal Government ended in a deadlock.
