The President of the Students’ Union Government of the University of Abuja, Yusuf Tobi Jamiu, has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission over what he described as a violent and coordinated attack on students during a peaceful gathering concerning alleged land encroachment on the institution’s mini-campus in Gwagwalada.
In the petition dated September 16, 2025, Jamiu accused university alumnus and legal practitioner Babatunde Akintade, popularly known as Barrister Bucknor, of leading armed thugs who allegedly assaulted students on September 4 during a meeting convened to discuss the purported illegal takeover of university land by the Gwagwalada Local Government Council.
According to the SUG President, the disputed land falls under the protection of the University of Abuja Establishment Act (1988), and the meeting was meant for dialogue—not violence.
Jamiu alleged that instead of constructive engagement, Akintade mobilised hoodlums to disrupt the gathering, describing the incident as “barbaric, unlawful, and a gross violation of human rights.” He said he was slapped, struck with a shovel, stripped of his clothes, and forced to walk barefoot in front of students—an experience he called humiliating and life-threatening.
Several others were also reportedly attacked. Senator Oladoja Afix was said to have suffered a deep head wound, while the SUG Senior Special Assistant on Transport, Umar Muhammad, was allegedly beaten more than ten times with a shovel. A female senator, Hauwa Dahiru Usman, was reportedly hit on the head with a stone. Jamiu claimed phones were seized or smashed “to destroy evidence and suppress the truth,” noting that union executives and senators appeared to be the main targets.
He further alleged that the violence extended to actions by some police officers, who he said arrived afterward and unlawfully arrested students. Jamiu claimed that an associate of Akintade, identified as Danlami Huzaifa, pointed out specific students to the police, leading to arrests that he described as coordinated harassment.
Citing violations of constitutional rights—including dignity, security, and freedom of peaceful assembly—Jamiu called for urgent intervention by authorities. His demands include the investigation and prosecution of Akintade for incitement and assault, disciplinary action by the Nigerian Bar Association, an independent probe into police conduct, and stronger protection of university land and student leaders.
He warned that failure to act would embolden violent actors and threaten campus safety.
“We trust the National Human Rights Commission to rise to its mandate by ensuring justice, accountability, and protection for Nigerian students,” Jamiu stated.