No fewer than two persons were on Wednesday arrested by the Osun State Police Command in connection with the murder of a 500-level student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Okoli Ahize Chizoputam on Tuesday over stealing of a mobile phone at a hall of residence in the campus.
The state’s police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Yemisi Opalola who made this known in a statement in Osogbo, expressed sadness on the development and said discreet investigation is ongoing on the case and more arrest will be made
According to the spokesperson, ” the Police Command saddened by this unwarranted action sternly warned members of the public especially Students to desist from any act of jungle justice or taking laws into their hands and follow the rules of the law by reporting any criminal activities or behaviours to the Police or other relevant authorities.”
She explained, “On the 21th of April at about 3:30pm information was received that a lifeless body of one Okoli Ahize Chizoputam ‘m’ a student of obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was taken to the accident and emergency unit of OAUTHC by some students of the institution.”
“The Police on receiving the information, visited the hospital and it was revealed that the deceased was alleged to have stolen a phone at Awo Hall of the institution on 10/4/2023 and beaten to coma by some of the fellow students which eventually led to his death.”
” Meanwhile Two (2) suspects have been arrested in connection with the case and discreet investigation is ongoing.”
The Police command commiserates with the parents of the deceased and staff of the Institution and prays to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss”, she stressed.
However,Fellow students of a 500-level Civil Engineering student, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Okoli Ahize who was killed by mob on school campus on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest round the institution to condemn the killing of the deceased.
The protesting students who disturbed the activities in the campus, barricaded major roads that led to the campus with a sorrowful songs to mourn the departed sould.
Many of them whose eyelids were oozing out with tears and worn mournful looks, described the act as inhuman and barbaric and prayed against such in future in the campus.
The protest which hindered both human and vehicular movements, caused heavy traffic jams as those plying the blocked roads find it difficult to move move an inch to their different destinations.
The protesting exercise led by the president of students for Faculty of Technology, one Ayanfe demanded from the school to ensure they fish out all the students that are involved in the mob action leading to the death of their friend and also include them in the investigation panel.
While addressing the students, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Isiaka Aransi, charged them” to exercise patience with school management and ensure that they do not embark on actions that are capable of causing a crisis in the school.”
In his comment, the institution Public Relations Officer, Mr Biodun Olanrewaju said, “the management of the school confirmed that they have handed over two suspects to the police while investigation is still ongoing.
