What started as a peaceful protest over the purported relocation of the new federal university in Ekiti State from Ikole to Oye, turned bloody after two of the protesters were shot dead.

The protest, which involved people of different ages in Ikole, started around 7:30 am. But the arrival of a detachment of policemen attached to the Swift Response Squad (SRS), charged the atmosphere. The policemen shot and killed two of the protesters at Iloka area of the town.

Following the killings, the protesters attacked and razed down the Idi-Ose police station. Two cars and three motorcycles parked within the premises were also destroyed and burnt.

The bodies of the deceased were allegedly taken away by the policemen, who retreated when the people confronted them. The protesters lit bonfire and blocked most parts of the town thereby preventing travellers to and from Abuja from driving through the town.

Governor Kayode Fayemi sued for peace and called on the people to remain calm. He described the announcement of Oye as the site of the new university as an attempt to undermine the authority of the state government.

Fayemi attributed the latest crisis to the subterranean moves of some politicians from the state who are using their political connection with President Goodluck Jonathan to throw the state into chaos ahead of the the general elections.

Fayemi urged Jonathan to respect the principles of federalism, due process and the rule of law. He described Ekiti as part of the Nigerian federation which should not be on fire because of the politics of the elections.

The governor said Ikole remains the location of the university as announced by his administration last November, saying the purported announcement of Oye as the site of the university would not be allowed to stand.

Fayemi said the latest crisis is not a fight between the two communities of Oye and Ikole.

The governor displayed expended live bullets used by riot policemen before reporters. He said they were brought to his attention by Ikole community leaders. He described the shooting of defenceless protesters as "unacceptable and unnecessary".

Fayemi met with the leaders of the two communities who were led to his office by the caretaker chairmen of Oye council, Mr. Akindele Ogungbuyi and Ikole council, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae.

"I have received no information on the relocation from the President, the Minister of Education, the Minister of State for Education. Whoever is purporting that the university has been moved from Ikole is only following the figment of his imagination.

"This is an attempt to undermine the authority of this state; the pronouncement had been made on the location by the state government long ago and if there will be any change, it will certainly come from Ekiti State government.

"It (the relocation) is null and void as far as we are concerned. This university is for our people and we must have a say on where it will be located and how it should be run. We shall not allow our people to be distracted.

"These elements are behind this because of their vanishing interests and whether they like it or not, they will be gone in April". The governor also appealed to the people of Ikole to be calm. He warned them against venting their anger against the regent of the town whom he said is not opposed to the university being sited in her domain.

Fayemi said he had been in touch with Jonathan adding that he was ready to visit Abuja to ensure that proper things were done to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the state.

The Ikole council boss Akin-Fasae said it was the rumour of the relocation that prompted the protest alleging that the policemen who fired the gunshots that killed the people came from outside his council area.