By Gbayesola Samuel 

An alumnus of the University of Ibadan, Chief Joel Bamidele Ogunrinola, has recounted the events that led to the killing of Kunle Adepeju, a UI student who was shot dead by police during a protest on campus in 1971.

Chief Ogunrinola, who was also a victim of the police action while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in an interview, narrated the incident that led to that tragic experience.

Recalling the event, Chief Ogunrinola described the insensitivity of the university authorities to issues in a students’ hall of residence as the genesis of the crisis that culminated in the protests.

“The invitation of the police worsened the situation,” he said.

According to him, a shortage of food and drinks during the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Week celebration raised questions about the integrity of the hall manager, while the discovery of foodstuffs and drinks in her store led to suspicions that she was hoarding the items for sale.

He noted that the incident enraged the students, who appealed to the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeoye Lambo (now late), to transfer the woman from the hall, but their request was not granted.

“When the VC did not transfer her, the hall executive convened a congress, where students decided to boycott the cafeteria supervised by the woman and embarked on a hunger strike,” he added.

“This lasted for a week, and when no positive action was taken by the university authorities, other students sympathised with their Azikiwe Hall colleagues and joined the protest in the spirit of ‘an injury to one is an injury to all.’ Students then massed at the frontage of the administrative block, marching and singing solidarity songs.”

He recounted that the authorities became agitated and, fearing that the protest could result in the destruction of property, invited the police to quell the situation.

According to Chief Ogunrinola, upon sighting the police, students became angered and attempted to push them back with stones as unwanted guests. The police briefly retreated before opening fire on unarmed students.

“The police retreated to the front of Queen’s Hall but would not go any further. What followed was a hail of live ammunition fired at defenceless students,” he said.

Chief Ogunrinola, who was present at the scene, sustained injuries from stray bullets, while Kunle Adepeju lost his life.

“I did not know Kunle Adepeju before the incident. We were neither in the same hall nor the same faculty. We were only victims of the same struggle,” he said.

“I was lucky to have escaped with bullet wounds in my right arm and thigh. Kunle was not so lucky; he was hit in the head and died on the spot.”

He further revealed that he was taken to the university sick bay and later transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for treatment. He explained that his radial nerve, which hardly regenerates, was damaged, requiring his wrist to be padded to remain upright before he could write again.

“Police bullets shattered my right elbow, and it was the grace of God and the expertise of doctors at UCH, Ibadan, that saved my hand from dropping permanently at the wrist,” he said.

Reflecting on student activism during his university days compared to the present, Chief Ogunrinola described it as a dedication to students’ welfare.

“Student activism meant total commitment to protecting the interests and wellbeing of students. No personal gains were pursued in those days,” he said.

He explained that although he was not a student leader, youthful exuberance and a thirst for adventure drew him to the “war front” that day; an experience that turned him into a symbol of resistance within the Student Union Secretariat.

CREDIT: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE