Abuja, Nigeria — A significant campus conflict has erupted at the University of Abuja, prompting serious allegations against a notable alumnus and legal practitioner. Comrade Yusuf Tobi Jamiu, President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), claims that Babatunde Akintade, widely referred to as Barrister Bucknor, incited a violent attack on students during a meeting addressing concerns over land encroachment.
In a formal complaint submitted to the National Human Rights Commission on September 16, Jamiu described the September 4 incident as a “barbaric and unlawful assault.” The student meeting had aimed to discuss the alleged illegal appropriation of university land by the Gwagwalada Local Government Council, a situation Jamiu insists violates the University of Abuja Establishment Act of 1988.
Instead of engaging in dialogue, Jamiu alleges that Akintade led armed individuals to disrupt the peaceful gathering. He expressed serious concerns over the dangers posed to students, claiming his own dignity was stripped away during the chaos. “I faced physical assault, being hit and humiliated in front of my peers,” Jamiu recounted. He noted that other students were also victims of violence, with severe consequences for some.
Several students reported substantial injuries from the incident. Senator Oladoja Afix was reportedly struck in the head, while SUG Senior Special Assistant on Transport, Umar Muhammad, sustained multiple blows from a shovel. A female senator, Hauwa Dahiru Usman, was injured by a thrown stone, and numerous others were attacked indiscriminately.
The incident caused significant panic among attendees, with several students claiming their phones were smashed or seized to prevent evidence from surfacing. Jamiu expressed concern that the attacks targeted union executives intentionally to undermine student governance. “The brutality inflicted upon us demonstrates a calculated effort to stifle democratic engagement on campus,” he asserted.
The conflict escalated when Jamiu criticized the local police’s response, alleging that officers arrived only to arrest students rather than protect them. A known associate of Akintade, identified as Danlami Huzaifa, allegedly assisted law enforcement by identifying students for arrest, further entrenching fears of coordinated harassment and police complicity.
Jamiu categorized the attack as a serious violation of human rights, invoking sections of the Nigerian Constitution that protect the rights to life, security, and peaceful assembly. He called for a thorough investigation into Akintade’s actions and accountability for those responsible for the violence.
The SUG President is demanding not only the prosecution of Akintade for incitement and assault but also disciplinary actions from the Nigerian Bar Association regarding his conduct. Furthermore, he urged that measures be implemented to safeguard both university land and student leadership against future aggression.
Failure to address these grievances, Jamiu warned, could lead to a dangerous precedent, jeopardizing student rights and overall campus safety. He expressed hope that the National Human Rights Commission would act swiftly to restore order, ensuring justice and protection for the university’s students.