The police in Ondo State have confirmed the reported invasion of students’ hotel at the Adekunle Ajasin University, by men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.
DAILY POST reports that some of the students were allegedly beaten to pulp during the incident, which happened at about 4 a.m immediately after a party they organised.
One of the students, who spoke on condition of anonymity told newsmen that the policemen invaded the hostel on the guise of searching for cult members.
“The incident happened around 4a.m after the students finished their hostel party. The operatives stormed the hostel as if they were going to war. They broke the doors, burglaries and ceilings to gain entrance. When they arrived, the students initially did not open the door for them, thinking they were armed robbers. That was how they started breaking the doors to enter.
“When they entered, they started beating everybody. Many students were mercilessly beaten. But some students who gave them bribe were released while those who couldn’t bribe them were whisked away by the officers,” he said.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Femi Joseph said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, had ordered the investigation into the matter.
“Three students that were arrested had been released and the CP has ordered a full investigation. After the investigation, if the policemen are found culpable, they will definitely pay for it, we don’t allow indiscipline in this command.
“I also want to use this medium to call on any student who was brutalised to come to my office with evidence and I promise we won’t spare any officer found culpable,” Joseph said.