OAU: 500-Level Student Tortured To Death Over Stolen Phone
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has been thrown into mourning, as a 500-level Civil Engineering student, Okoli Ahize Chizoputam, allegedly died from injuries sustained in a mob action following accusations of phone theft on campus.
The studentIt was reported that the final-year student was attacked by a mob at Awolowo Hall on Monday after he was caught with a stolen phone.
The situation, however, escalated as the student was handed over to the leadership of the student union at Ken Saro-Wiwa Hall.
The union leaders allegedly subjected Chizoputam to severe torture before he was rushed to the hospital where he later died.
The president of the OAU student union, Olayiwole Festus, confirmed the news of Chizoputam’s death.
He revealed that preliminary investigations show that the deceased was accused of having stolen a phone.
While awaiting an official report from law enforcement agencies, he expressed his sadness at the tragic incident, noting that the union is not a union of barbarians but of intellectuals.
He further stated that “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”.
Similarly, the management of the institution through its spokesperson, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, has issued a statement, stating that an investigation is ongoing and that they would make their position known after the investigation.
The management has also commiserated with the family of the deceased and appealed to students to remain calm and maintain law and order on campus.
The news of Chizoputam’s death has sparked outrage among students of the institution and the public, with many taking to social media to express their displeasure at the barbaric act.
The incident has also raised concerns about campus security and the use of mob action to address issues of theft and other vices.
In light of the tragic incident, the authorities charged with maintaining law and order on campus must take steps to guarantee the safety of students while ensuring that justice is served.
Moreover, there is a need for a review of the existing framework for addressing theft and other crimes on campus, as mob action cannot be condoned under any circumstance.
