Student demonstrations and unrest on campuses around the country at the end of May 1989 resulted in the burning of some government vehicles and the ransacking of some government offices. [
ENDNOTES:
"Student riots against SAP", West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 5-11 June 1989, p.937.] An article [ Ibid.] also reported that the students freed 600 prisoners and set the Benin prison on fire. The same article states that a student was reportedly killed during demonstrations on 29 May 1989 at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Another incident at the University of Nigeria occurred when students reportedly demonstrated after one of their colleagues had allegedly been shot and wounded. [ibid.] Several students were reportedly arrested following demonstrations at the various universities. [ibid.] The official statistics on the the riots were released by the government and reported in the 26 June-2 July 1989 issue of the weekly newsmagazine West Africa. This source reports that 22 lives had been lost during the riots, although it does not specify if and how many of the victims were students involved in the student demonstrations. ["Official statistics on riots", West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 26 June-2 July 1989, p.1065.]

The magazine West Africa (21-27 August 1989) reports that thirty rioters have been charged in connection with last May's disturbances, in a Benin court. The October 1989 issue of the West Africa periodical states that 26 students detained for allegedly taking part in the violent anti-SAP (Structural Adjustment Program) demonstrations have been released unconditionally. It is not known if any of the Benin students were among this group, as there were anti-SAP demonstrations in several other universities around the country. ["Student Riots Against SAP" West Africa, (London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 5-11 June 1989), p.937.] The Internal Affairs Minister, who announced the releases in commemoration of Nigeria's 29th Independence Anniversary, "disclosed that state governors had been directed to consider the release of prisoners who are under age, old, infirm or disabled".

Attached please find excerpts from the following documents:
-"Student Riots Against SAP" West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 5-11 June 1989.
-"Official Statistics On Riots" West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 26 June-2 July 1989.
-"Long Closure", West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 3-9 July.
-"Rioters Charged" West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 21-27 August 1989.