Some angry mob have killed a final year student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, over allegations that he stole a mobile phone.
The student, whose identity is still unknown, was said to have stolen the phone in Awo Hall on Monday.
According to a source in the campus, after the suspect had been severely beaten, he was moved to another location on campus in the early hours of Tuesday where he remained till noon.
He was, however, confirmed dead on Tuesday afternoon at the OAU Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, where he was rushed to when his health started deteriorating due to the beating he received.
Commenting on the development, the Public Relations Officer, OAU, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said, “A student died and the management is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. We will make our position known after investigation.”
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But on his part, the President of Great Ife Students’ Union, Folahan Olayiwola, confirmed the incident and added that investigation into the matter is ongoing.
The statement read, “I regret to announce the death of a Part 5 student assaulted in a mob action at Awo Hall yesterday (Monday). The student was declared dead on arrival at the Emergency Medicine Department of OAU Teaching Hospital this (Tuesday) 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.”
Olayiwola, who described the incident as most inhumane, insisted that justice must be served accordingly irrespective of those 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,” he added.