Final year university student killed by suspected cultists in Ogun

Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

The ongoing examination at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, was on Wednesday disrupted, when hoodlums, suspected to be cultists stormed the institution, dragged out a final-year student, Ahmed Ayinla Fabiyi, and killed him.

Fabiyi, a student of the History and Diplomatic Studies Department, was set to take his final paper and celebrate his birthday on the same day.

The incident, according to a reliable source, occured around 3pm, as the exam was about to commence.

It was gathered that the gang disguised as friends, ostensibly there to surprise Fabiyi for his birthday, and “carried” him out of the hall under this pretence.

Another source said, the men dragged him to a corner where they shot at him and hit him with a brick on the head. They waited to ensure that he was dead before leaving the scene.

The source said, “They (History and Diplomatic Studies students) were having their final paper when some boys suspected to be cultists stormed the examination venue and dragged him out.

“They kicked him, shot at him, and hit him with a brick on the head.

“It was when they realised he was lifeless that they left before the school security men came to pick him up to the school clinic, where he was confirmed dead.”

Confirming the incident in a statement, the institution’s Students Union President, Bethel Olorunfunmi, said efforts to save the life of the victim by medical personnel proved abortive.

Olorunfunmi said, “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of a tragic incident that occurred today. A fellow student was attacked on the school premises and, despite the best efforts of medical staff at the General Hospital, he sadly passed away. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the student during this difficult time.

“In the light of this event, we are implementing strict security measures to ensure the safety of all students. Effective immediately, a mandatory curfew is in place, requiring all students to remain indoors starting at 10pm tonight on Wednesday.

“Please understand that this measure is being taken with your safety as our utmost priority. We are working closely with university authorities and law enforcement agencies, who are conducting a thorough investigation and enhancing security across the campus.”

On her part, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ayotunde Odubela, the gang’s true intentions became apparent only when they began dragging Fabiyi towards a bushy area near the university’s technical workshop.

There, they viciously beat and macheted him.

“Everyone thought they were celebrating his birthday until he was dragged to the bushy part of the institution’s technical workshop and attacked,” Odubela said.

Odubela said, “the student was actually carried out of the examination hall as if they were celebrating because yesterday (Wednesday) was actually his birthday.

“That did not make people feel that there was anything happening. They took him out of the hall and it was later they started dragging him to the ground around technical workshop.

“That was when the school security unit was contacted but by the time they would get to the place of the incident, he had been actually beaten and macheted. So, when they saw the security men coming, they dropped him and left.

“When the security men picked him up, they took him to the school medical center where he was immediately attended to and referred to the General Hospital Ijebu Ode, immediately.

The General Hospital also referred him to Babcock University Teaching Hospital. Unfortunately, he gave up the ghost before he got to the hospital.”

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said the command had begun an investigation and launched raids on suspected cultists hideouts in the area.

She added that all efforts were being made to apprehend every member of the group responsible for the incident.

“Our officers immediately moved to the scene of the incident. All possible hideouts of the suspects were combed and raided by our detectives, including those from other divisions in the area.

“Every effort is being made to ensure that all the perpetrators are apprehended,” Odutola stated.