AEFUNAI security unit has communicated severe warnings and threat of force issued by University Management aimed at blocking a planned “Day Two” campus demonstration over school fee hikes. The sudden security clampdown follows a massive publicity campaign and mobilization drive across student platforms by students grieving over the hiked fees as students urged each other to gather at the AE-FUNAI Relaxation Center (R.C) for a second day of peaceful action to demand affordable education.
CSO Warns of Armed Intervention and Vigilante Enforcement
As publicity for the follow-up demonstration gathered momentum overnight, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of AEFUNAI in an official communication with SHAST Campus News, issued a stern warning, revealing that University Management, under directives from the Vice-Chancellor, has placed an immediate ban on all campus gatherings. The CSO disclosed that security forces, external security agencies, and local village vigilantes have been fully briefed and instructed to meet any gathering student with “maximum force”. Addressing allegations raised by security officials targeting key student media handlers and organizers over the widespread publicity, the CSO urged representatives to step back. The CSO also claimed intelligence reports indicate that external criminal elements and “past bad boys” are currently in town, allegedly waiting to hijack the planned gathering. The ongoing traditional mourning of the host community’s traditional ruler was also cited as a reason to prevent any mass action.
SUG President Counters Movement; Students Reject Fee Reduction Claims
Parallel to the security warnings, the Executive President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comr. Eze Owo Dan, issued a circular urging the student body to halt all protest actions. The SUG President claimed that financial obligations had been drastically reduced through executive bargaining and urged students to rely solely on dialogue. However, students have openly rejected claims of a meaningful fee reduction, describing management’s stance as unyielding and deceptive. Responding to security threats, students advocate noted that previous attempts at dialogue yielded no tangible relief, leaving students with no option but to officially register their displeasure over the hiked fees through a peaceful demonstration. Despite warnings from the CSO that no student should step foot near the campus protest points, student advocates challenged the university’s reliance on brute force, emphasizing that administrative suppression and threats of violence against peaceful students damage the reputation of the institution. To prevent violent clashes, SHAST proposed peaceful alternatives, such as permitting a controlled delegation of student representatives to register grievances directly at the SUG office and disperse. Management, however, maintained its zero-tolerance position.
