By Ogochukwu Isioma
A 500-level male student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria (name withheld), has been reportedly beaten to death on campus over alleged phone theft.
The unfortunate incident, metrowatchxtra.com learned, happened on Tuesday at the popular Awolowo hall of residence (Awo Hall) on the school campus.
It was gathered that the deceased, a civil engineering student, was lynched by a mob after he was accused of phone theft by colleagues.
President of the institution’s Students’ Union, Olayiwole Folahan Festus, confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement made available to metrowatchxtra.com.
He described the mob action as inhumane, pledging, however, to ensure that justice is meted out accordingly.
The statement reads: “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 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!”
