Protest Drama: Students Arrested for Demanding Justice During Wike’s Lecture

Tension flared at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday when two students were reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a protest staged during the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture. The incident unfolded while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was delivering a keynote address, with high-profile attendees present.

The arrested students, identified as Kelechi Ejike and Joshua Temitope Oladepo, made headlines after interrupting the lecture with placards and chants. The students vocally demanded compensation for residents allegedly affected by recent demolition exercises carried out by the FCT administration under Wike’s directive.

“Minister Wike, we demand you compensate the people whose houses you demolished,” the students shouted, momentarily disrupting the otherwise serene academic atmosphere. Eyewitnesses reported that the protest lasted only a few minutes before the students were swiftly taken away by DSS operatives.

The protest, albeit brief, occurred in the full glare of several dignitaries including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. Their presence at the event underscored the gravity of the lecture, making the interruption all the more impactful.

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As of press time, the DSS has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrests. The current whereabouts and legal status of the two students remain unclear, sparking concerns from student bodies and civil rights advocates who are closely monitoring the developments.

The protest stems from growing discontent surrounding Wike’s policies as the FCT Minister. Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023, Wike’s urban renewal agenda in the Federal Capital Territory has been aggressive and controversial. Many structures labeled as illegal or unsafe have been demolished, leading to the displacement of residents and the loss of properties, with critics claiming the operations have been carried out with minimal consultation or compensation.

For residents of Abuja and civil society groups, Thursday’s protest at OAU was emblematic of the rising frustration over what they consider to be high-handed governance. The arrested students’ action—taking their grievances from the streets of Abuja to the heart of academia in Ile-Ife—signals the widespread disapproval of these demolitions.

Student groups at OAU and other universities have since begun mobilizing on social media, demanding the release of Ejike and Oladepo. Online campaigns with hashtags such as #FreeOAUStudents and #JusticeForDemolishedResidents are gaining traction, highlighting both freedom of expression concerns and wider issues about housing justice in the FCT.

According to legal experts, the arrests could raise constitutional questions, particularly regarding the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech. If confirmed that the students were arrested solely for protesting, the incident could provoke legal challenges and intensify scrutiny on both the DSS and the office of the FCT Minister.

While the Distinguished Personality Lecture aimed to foster dialogue and celebrate leadership, the protest has inadvertently turned the spotlight onto a deeper national issue. The silence from Wike and the DSS since the protest has only fueled speculation, with many awaiting a formal response that could clarify the government’s stance on dissent and civil liberties.

As Nigeria grapples with balancing urban development and citizens’ rights, Thursday’s events at OAU will likely become a reference point in discussions about governance, activism, and student rights. For now, the university community watches closely, hoping for the safe release of the detained students and a broader conversation on responsible leadership.