In a dramatic turn of events, the governing council of the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET), Akoka, has confirmed the release of Deputy Registrar Chris Olamiju, following his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Olamiju was freed alongside Friday Otobong, a security officer at the college, after the intervention of the college’s governing council.
Olatunde Adenuga, the Chairman of the governing council, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Olamiju was released on Thursday evening.
“We are just coming from the SSS, he has been released tonight,” Adenuga stated, indicating that Olamiju was with him in the car post-release.
The ordeal began in the early hours of Thursday when the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) accused the DSS of “abducting” Olamiju from his residence at the college’s senior staff quarters in Akoka. The union described the operation as reminiscent of Gestapo tactics, causing significant distress among the college community.
DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, refuted the claims of abduction, stating, “The DSS doesn’t abduct and has never abducted.” He clarified that Olamiju had been invited to the DSS office and released to officials from the Ministry of Education after resolving the issue.
Despite these reassurances, COEASU reported that Olamiju was assaulted during the “invasion” and had personal belongings, including documents, phones, and laptops, confiscated.
This incident heightened tensions within the college, which has been embroiled in a prolonged protest against Provost Wahab Azeez’s tenure since May 27. The protestors have locked up the offices of the provost and other principal officers, preventing access for over a month.
The governing council had recently signed resolutions to reopen the provost’s office and allow Azeez to resume his duties, but these efforts have been met with continued resistance.
In a live video on Facebook, workers reiterated their stance that Azeez would not be allowed to return to his office, accusing him of orchestrating Olamiju’s arrest to provoke the protestors.
Azeez denied any involvement in the arrest, stating that he learned about the incident through the news and had no communication with authorities to detain anyone.
He emphasized that no one had been harassed, suspended, or dismissed during his tenure and attributed the ongoing unrest to efforts to maintain due process and accountability.
As the situation unfolds, the governing council remains on-site to address the issues and seek a resolution. Olamiju is scheduled to return to the DSS office in Lagos next Monday, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing crisis at FCET Akoka.
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