Two union leaders at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have been arrested by the police, following the death of a 500 Level student of the Civil Engineering Department, Ahize Okoli.
The two persons, according to THE PUNCH are said to be members of the Awo Hall Executives of the campus.
The deceased, Okoli, was reportedly beaten to death by a mob over the alleged stealing of a phone.
Campus sources said the student was accused of stealing a mobile phone in Awo Hall on Monday and after he had been severely beaten, he was moved to the Students Union Building in the early hours of Tuesday where he remained till around noon.
Okoli’s health deteriorated after several beatings and was rushed to the university’s Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, where the doctors confirmed him dead on Tuesday afternoon.
Giving an update on the incident on Wednesday, the Osun State Police Command, said the two people detained are student leaders.
Speaking to journalists, Yemisi Opalola, police spokesperson at Osun command, said, “Investigation into the incident will continue and justice would be served. We have arrested two student leaders in connection with the incident.”
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.
“The university will not meddle in such a grievous offence. It bothers on the criminality of murder”, he said.
“So, let the police do their job and we will do our own here. We are going ahead with our investigation.”
