The Nigeria Police Force has detained the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) branch, Comrade Faleye Benjamin, along with four other union members after they honoured a police invitation on Monday.
According to reports obtained by SaharaReporters, the union leaders were invited following a petition allegedly written by the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) on the directive of the suspended Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.
A source within the university community revealed that the detained SSANU members — Comrades Ademola Mutiu, Oyelude Yekeen, Aluko Ayomikun, and Nwokeke Barnabas — reported to the Force Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti around noon but were subsequently detained.
The source alleged that the suspended Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Fasina, used the CSO to orchestrate the detention as part of a wider plot to intimidate union members.
In a statement condemning the action, SSANU FUOYE described the detention as “deeply concerning and unacceptable,” calling it a direct attack on unionism, workers’ rights, and freedom of association guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and labour laws.
“The University community and the general public are hereby placed on notice that should anything untoward happen to our detained members, the University Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, shall be held fully liable for any harm or consequence arising from this unlawful act,” the statement read.
SSANU FUOYE reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and lawful engagement in pursuit of justice, fairness, and the protection of its members’ rights.
On October 14, 2025, SaharaReporters had earlier reported that controversy deepened at FUOYE following allegations that the suspended Vice-Chancellor, Fasina, sponsored fake students to attack staff members during a meeting allegedly backed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, several FUOYE staff were seen expressing fear for their safety after being attacked by suspected students who were reportedly not known to the university.
The chaos erupted during a meeting convened for all staff members at the 1,000 Capacity Auditorium, Phase II, on the directive of Senator Ndoma-Egba, as contained in a circular signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim.
Staff members, however, protested the presence of the suspended Vice-Chancellor, Fasina, at the meeting — a situation that led to violence when some “hired students” allegedly descended on them.
Sources said staff members were shocked to see Fasina present despite his ongoing suspension, alleging that Ndoma-Egba had been attempting to reinstate him, even after reportedly allocating ₦128 million to him.
“Fasina has overwhelmed the university community with notorious hooligans and rusticated students from nearby universities to harass, molest, and threaten innocent FUOYE staff members,” one of the aggrieved staff told SaharaReporters.
The source appealed to the Federal Government to intervene, saying:
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must save FUOYE. Nigerians should rescue this institution from the leadership rascality of Fasina.”
The circular dated October 13, 2025, with reference number FUOYE/REG/CAD/025/Vol.1/125, confirmed that the Pro-Chancellor officially called the meeting.
It read:
“I write on behalf of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, CON, SAN, to invite you to a meeting as scheduled below:
Date: Tuesday, 14th October, 2025.
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Venue: 1000 Capacity Auditorium, Phase II.
Consequently, all members of staff are advised to attend this meeting.”
The recent detention has heightened tension within FUOYE, as staff and students fear the growing crisis could further disrupt academic activities on campus.
