Tension erupted at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo campus, after security operatives allegedly assaulted and dispersed diploma students who were protesting their exclusion from the university’s direct entry admission list.

The protesters, who recently concluded their diploma programmes with commendable grades, accused the university of going back on its earlier commitment to offer them direct entry admission into 200-level degree programmes.

Eyewitnesses said the demonstration, which started peacefully, turned chaotic when campus security personnel intervened and used force to scatter the protesters.

Viral videos from the scene showed students being chased, dragged, and beaten, with some sustaining injuries and requiring medical attention.

“We were only demanding fairness and transparency. We were told that a 3.0 CGPA would qualify us for admission, but LASU suddenly increased the cut-off to 3.5, leaving more than 300 of us stranded,” a student lamented.

Sources revealed that some of the affected students graduated with CGPAs as high as 4.0 to 4.8 but were still denied admission following the abrupt policy change by the school management.

The development reportedly shattered the hopes of many students who had purchased JAMB Direct Entry forms based on the university’s earlier assurance.

“We sent letters to the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of Student Affairs, and even the Lagos State Ministry of Education. We also reached out to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, but none of them responded,” another student said.

Out of frustration, the students resorted to a peaceful protest on campus, carrying placards with messages such as “We deserve fairness” and “Keep your promise, LASU.”

However, witnesses claimed the protest was met with excessive force from campus security officers, who allegedly assaulted several students. Some were reportedly taken to hospitals, while others suffered emotional distress.

“We are not against LASU,” a protester stated. “We are simply fighting for our future. If our departments are full, the university can at least place us in related courses. All we want is a fair chance to continue our education.”