Osun Election: APC Supporters Allegedly Assault OAU Student Journalist In Ile-Ife

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, have allegedly assaulted an Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student journalist, Abdulfattah Robiu, following a misunderstanding over the use of a mobile phone camera.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Orona Street, near AP Junction, Ile-Ife, while Robiu was attempting to transfer a file from his friend’s phone to his own device.

Narrating the incident, the student journalist said the misunderstanding started when he asked the owner of the phone he was using whether its camera was of good quality while waiting for the file transfer to be completed.

He alleged that a woman nearby misunderstood the question and accused him of taking her photograph.

Robiu said he immediately explained that he was neither photographing her nor anyone else, but was only asking about the quality of the phone’s camera in relation to the file transfer.

According to him, the woman continued to confront him, while another woman later joined the argument, causing the situation to escalate.

He alleged that some individuals at the scene wearing AMBO campaign caps also joined the confrontation without first hearing his explanation or verifying the allegation.

Robiu claimed that some of the men picked up wooden planks and stones and used them to assault him, while one of the women allegedly bit him.

He further alleged that his phone was seized and searched by those involved to establish whether he had taken a photograph of the woman.

According to him, the search showed that no such photograph existed, but the confrontation allegedly continued.

The journalist claimed that his phone was damaged during the altercation, while his shirt was torn and he sustained injuries.

He also alleged that one of the women grabbed his belt and contacted some street youths, who subsequently joined the confrontation. He said he was also asked to swear by Ogun to prove his innocence.

Robiu said he repeatedly explained that he was not involved in politics and did not even have a voter’s card, but alleged that some of those involved continued to question whether he had been sent to the area by someone.

He added that some women operating shops in the area eventually intervened and condemned the alleged assault.

The student journalist also alleged that some of his colleagues who attempted to intervene were attacked, with one reportedly slapped and another allegedly hit with a stone.

He said his phone was eventually returned, but alleged that he continued to receive threats from some of those involved.

Following the incident, Robiu said he reported the matter at Oke Otubu Police Station, where he made an official statement.

He said police officers subsequently accompanied him to the scene but did not meet the women he accused of assaulting him. According to him, one of their husbands told the officers that the women had gone out for political activities.

Robiu said he later returned to the police station, where evidence relating to the incident, including his damaged phone, torn shirt and injuries, was documented.

He added that the police assured him that the matter would be investigated and that efforts would be made to ensure justice.

The newly elected Students’ Union Public Relations Officer of the university, Kujembola Olalekan Sunday, confirmed the incident.

“We are aware of the situation. We are taking adequate steps. We strongly condemn it. We will follow him to the police station as soon as possible,” he said.