NANS Denies Alleged Assault On Military Officers, Condemns Attack On Students, Vandalism By Soldiers
Adedokun Waliyu 
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described a video making the rounds about an alleged assault on soldiers at the University of Benin, Edo State, as fake.
NANS National Vice President, Inter-campus Affairs, Comrade Vanessa Egbeahie, in a statement said the video is fake and does not trly represent the civil nature of UNIBEN students.
Egbeahie described the students of the school as more mature than what is portrayed in the video.
She however expressed happiness that the whole issue had been amicably resolved through the intervention of the university management and other stakeholders.
The statement read, “This is a memo to clarify that the video that trended on the 2nd of February in all social media platforms was not in any way the act of UNIBEN students. “Please note that the students of the University of Benin are well known for their high moral standards and zero tolerance for violence and are not in any way violent and rebellious people.
“The students are calm and peaceful individuals of the great institution. In correction of the cooked-up stories going around the internet, I do hereby write to give some clarity to what actually transpired.
“At about noon of February 2nd, 2023, solders came into the premises of the University of Benin and assaulted students by beating and chasing them out of the long ATM queues. Like I earlier stated, our students are very respectful persons and they didn’t object them or deny them access in any way, as they allowed these solders have their way.
“Only to be assaulted, punished and beaten in return as they were accused of recording them, phones were destroyed and students were asked to roll on the floor, while some got punched in their faces.
“The security officers on the ground were not left out of the assault as they were slapped and dragged as well. In retaliation to the video that was trending, armed soldiers visited the school campus again, broke windshields of several private-owned and school-owned vehicles, numbering 40 in counts, assaulted and flogged security officers to a pulp and left them in a state of little breath.
“All manner of ill treatment was executed on the school premises by the same soldiers that should be safeguarding and protecting the citizens of this great country.”
The statement described reports that students assaulted soldiers as fake.
“This sad and devastating scenario is something we pray and hope not to repeat itself. We are happy that peace and calmness have been restored to the campus after such outrageous act due to the help of our proactive Vice Chancellor.
“I want to specially thank the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami and the DVC Academics – Professor Ray Ozolua for their continuous support and efforts to restore peace and stability back to the campus alongside the Edo State Government, the state Police Command and the DSS.
“We hope this would be totally resolved and remember an injury to one is an injury to all. God bless Nigerian Students God bless the Great Students of the University of Benin,” the statement added.
