A part Five student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife was on Tuesday beaten to death by an angry mob of the institution for stealing a mobile phone in a hall of residence of the campus.
The deceased was said to be beaten by the angry students who went berserk and mercilessly pounced on the perpetrator.
Informed sources gave numbers of those who descended on the deceased to be around 15 to 20, describing the act as inhuman, barbaric, callous, and wicked, therefore, calling on concerned authorities to act fast to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
However, the president of the institution Students Union Government (SUG), Olayiwole Folahan Festus, condemned the mob action which he described as unfair and cried for justice on the matter.
He stated that whosoever found to have been involved in the act should not be allowed to go scot-free but be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Student Union Government (SUG) President condemned jungle justice and assured that every necessary assistance that law enforcement might need from the union if at its disposal, would be rendered to discourage such an inhuman act in society.
In a statement issued, he explained said: “I regret to announce the death of a Part 5 student assaulted in a mob action at Awo Hall yesterday. The student was declared dead on arrival at the Emergency Medicine Department of OAU Teaching Hospital this afternoon.
“Preliminary investigations show that the deceased was accused to have stolen a phone. While we await an official report from the law enforcement agencies, I must state that this incident is a very sad one for Great Ife Students’ Union because our union is not a union of barbarians but that of intellectuals.
‘Arrests and investigations of individuals suspected to be connected with the assault of the deceased are being made for consequent legal actions. Our Union does not support mob actions and justice must be served in this incident. Pending investigations of this unfortunate development, the activities of the Hall Executive Council of Awo Hall are suspended immediately.
“What has just happened is most inhumane. Justice must be served accordingly irrespective of who is involved. Mob actions are banned and not allowed on the OAU campus!
“I reassure Great Ife students that the Union is working assiduously with the school authorities and the relevant law enforcement officers to make sure that justice is meted out appropriately!”
When contacted, the Institution’s management confirmed the incident.
Speaking through its public relations officer, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university wondered why the perpetrators of the act should take the law into their hands and also assured that, it would not leave any stone unturned to see that, justice prevail on the matter.
The institution management which commiserated with the victim’s family, prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss but maintained that those behind the act would be fished out and dealt with accordingly.
At the time of filing this report, the university spokesperson said, a meeting of the university management was ongoing on the matter and pledged to make an official stand of the institution known on the incident soonest.
*For Breaking and News updates kindly send your name and location to our WhatsApp No. 09069473894, add us to your group for our news updates. IGNORE if you’re already with us*
Leave a Reply