Two individuals have been arrested by the Osun State Police Command in connection with the alleged murder of Okoli Ahize Chizoputam, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife.
Chizoputam was reportedly beaten to death by a mob on campus after being accused of stealing a mobile phone.
The arrests were confirmed by the Osun Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, who expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.
As gathered by News About Nigeria, the arrested individuals are both undergraduates of OAU. One of them is reported to be the Chairman of Awo Hall Executives, while the other is said to be the Social Welfare Officer of the hall of residence.
Opalola said, “The Police on receiving the information, visited the hospital and it was revealed that the deceased was alleged to have stolen a phone at Awo Hall of the institution on 10/4/2023 and beaten to coma by some of the fellow students which eventually led to his death. Meanwhile, Two (2) suspects have been arrested in connection with the case and discreet investigation is ongoing.
“The Police Command, saddened by this unwarranted action sternly warned members of the public, especially students, to desist from any act of jungle justice or taking laws into their hands and follow the rules of the law by reporting any criminal activities or behaviours to the Police or other relevant authorities.
“The Police command commiserates with the parents of the deceased and staff of the institution and prays to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
The incident has sparked a peaceful protest by some aggrieved students of OAU, particularly from the Faculty of Technology, who stormed the Students’ Union Building (SUB) and demanded justice for Chizoputam.
The Technology and Engineering Students Association of OAU issued a statement signed by its executive members, expressing their demand for justice in the matter, saying, “As of now, there has been nobody to account for the death of the deceased. The parties known to be involved in these murder cases have been playing a lot of games to throw the case under the carpet and are now nowhere to be found.
“However, justice must prevail because an injury to one is an injury to all. The leadership of this faculty is ready to go to any length to ensure that justice prevails over this murder.”
Also, the Association of Anambra State Students in Nigeria and Diaspora, OAU chapter, where the deceased student belonged, in a statement signed by its President, Frank Arinze, condemned the mob action and urged the management to ensure that justice was done on the matter.
“We thereby condemn the mob action of Scientific Maximum Shishi (SMS) as the University is known for learning and culture. With the level of cultural values that this great citadel of learning is known for, it is barbaric and highly unacceptable to adopt this so-called operation SMS. Can the death of the person bring back the stolen item? We unapologetically write to the hearing of the university, that anyone involved in this action must be brought to book and justice must be done for our late brother,” it read partly.
The protesters called for the arrest of the union officers and others allegedly involved in the mobbing of Chizoputam. The SUB was reportedly shut down during the protest, as students voiced their concerns over the tragic death of their fellow student.
The situation remains tense on the OAU campus as investigations continue into the alleged murder of Chizoputam.
In a statement issued by the Technology and Engineering Students Association of the OAU and signed by the executive members, the students demanded justice
