Following the passing of Ahize Okoli, a 500 Level student in the Civil Engineering Department at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, two people who are reportedly members of the Awo Hall Executives have been detained by the police.
According to reports, a mob killed Okoli after believing that he had stolen a cell phone.
According to sources on campus, the student was suspected of stealing a cell phone at Awo Hall on Monday. He was transported to the Students Union Building early on Tuesday where he remained until about noon after being severely assaulted.
It was further learnt that because of the beating he received, Okoli’s health deteriorated and he was rushed to the OAU Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, where he was confirmed dead Tuesday afternoon.
The Osun State Police Command, while giving an update on the incident on Wednesday, described the two people detained as student leaders.
The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who spoke to journalists, said, “Investigation into the incident will continue and justice would be served. We have arrested two student leaders in connection with the incident.”
Also speaking, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the police should be allowed to investigate the matter, adding that the management of the institution would also carry out its investigation.
Olanrewaju said, “The university will not meddle in such a grievous offence. It bothers on the criminality of murder.
“So, let the police do their job and we will do our own here. We are going ahead with our investigation.”
Meanwhile, students in the Faculty of Technology, on Wednesday, blocked roads leading to the school campus in protest against Okoli’s death.
The protesters, who also demanded the arrest of all those involved in the assault on the deceased student, specifically called for the arrest of student security volunteers, who allegedly took custody of the deceased after he had been assaulted in Awo Hall of Residence.
The protesting students, who also ensured that lecture did not hold on campus, as a sign of respect for the deceased student, later removed the barricade and allowed movement into the campus, after the Dean, the Division of Students Affairs, Prof. Olalekan Aransi, had listened to their demands.
Aransi, while addressing the students, pleaded with them to let peace reign, assuring them that the management would address their concerns.
Discussion about this post