Security personnel at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, have come under fire after a viral video showed a student being physically assaulted during an enforcement operation over alleged use of a restricted route.
The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, captured the moment the student, said to be a law undergraduate, was chased, apprehended and forcefully restrained near the campus gate by a group of security operatives.
In the video, the visibly distressed student was heard repeatedly asking what offence he had committed, while some of the operatives branded him a “criminal” as they dragged him towards a security post.
Eyewitnesses said the student was beaten by several security men, with onlookers unable to intervene.
Preliminary findings indicated that the student had used a route designated as restricted by the university authorities.
Security operatives reportedly moved to arrest him for alleged trespassing and failure to properly identify himself.
Sources added that the situation escalated after the student allegedly fled when an unidentified individual threatened him with a stone-like object, prompting a chase before he was eventually overpowered.
A campus platform, UNN Chronicles, later reported that the matter was resolved after the student submitted a formal letter of apology and was subsequently released.
However, the forceful manner of the arrest has sparked widespread backlash online, with many social media users condemning the conduct of the security personnel.
An Instagram user, identified as onapulu_lion, questioned whether students were adequately informed about the restriction, insisting there was no prior notice.
“Actually there wasn’t any prior warning… What they did to that boy is pure harassment,” the user wrote.
Another user, Augustine Aghanwa, with the handle de.sage, criticised the handling of the incident and suggested possible legal action against the operatives, describing their conduct as excessive.
In contrast, another commenter, Official_PIKOLO, defended the enforcement of campus rules, arguing that restricted routes are a standard administrative measure in schools and should be respected by students.
Providing further context, the Students’ Union Government Chief of Staff, Adams Okorie, justified the security measures, citing rising insecurity on campus.
According to him, there have been repeated cases of theft, with individuals disguising as students to gain access to classrooms and hostels.
“Recent incidents have raised serious concerns. Students have been robbed of phones and valuables by people posing as students,” he said, adding that stricter enforcement became necessary due to limited security resources.
Okorie also recounted a previous incident in which a suspected thief, who posed as a law student, was apprehended after failing to provide identification and later confessed to theft.
Despite the explanations, critics insist the assault captured in the viral video reflects excessive use of force and have called for the university authorities to investigate the conduct of the security personnel.