LAUTECH students seek justice after an officer allegedly killed Corper

Some students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, on Tuesday, demanded an investigation into the alleged killing of a corps member, Damilola Iyanda, by a trigger-happy police officer.

This is just as the students decried the prolonged brutality the police officer allegedly inflicted on them in a separate interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.

PUNCH Metro had reported that a trigger-happy police officer allegedly shot dead a corps member, identified as Iyanda Damilola, in Ogbomoso Local Government Area of ​​the state on Tuesday.

It was gathered that a constable of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police had been recognized by the students of the institution for alleged shooting.

The brother of the deceased, Oluwafemi Iyanda, a graduate of LAUTECH, told our correspondent on Tuesday that he sustained injuries from the bullet shots.

Oluwafemi, who graduated in Accounting and Management Sciences from the institution, said the deceased was his brother who had attended his function after which they went to an after-party the same day where he was shot dead by the trigger-happy cop.

According to him, the late Damilola served in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

He said: “Yesterday was our meeting, and we were in a lounge in the Under-G area around 2am for a meeting party when we heard some people were fighting outside. When we noticed it was getting loud, we stepped outside and saw police officers dispersing the crowd and shooting directly at people.

“I suffered gunshot wounds, but my brother, who came for my summons, was shot in the head. He was confirmed dead at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and taken to the mortuary this morning.

“As I speak to you, I am at the clinic for my treatment. The wounds are deep and I have no choice but to seek justice for my innocent brother.”

When asked if he could identify the police officers who came for the operation, Oluwafemi said he was sure of one officer, stressing that the officer led the team that dispersed the crowd.

“I saw him handle the gun; he shot with one hand until he shot my brother,” he claimed.

Our correspondent noted that the incident created palpable tension among the students who took to the streets to protest but suspended the protest so as not to disrupt the ongoing rallies.

This was stated by an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity because he did have the authority to speak PUNCH Metro that the students closed the gate of the institution, leading to a temporary delay in starting the grand finale of the 16th convocation ceremony on Tuesday.

The source said: “What happened was that the celebration in the Under-G area resulted in an argument and this led to a scuffle. During the altercation, the security guard was invited by the hotel owner to resolve the matter.

“While attempting to resolve the matter, the officer reportedly fired sporadically into the air. It was during this period that one student was reportedly shot, while two others were injured.”

Reacting to the incident, a student, Michael Oladipupo, alleged that the trigger-happy police officer had a habit of treating students cruelly. However, he urged the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and bring the officer to justice.

“We are certain that it was a member of the police team who killed the boy because students were present. This is not the first time this particular police officer has been involved in assaulting students.

“The school should also join us in demanding justice for those killed and injured yesterday. We also want the lounge where the incident was investigated to be investigated,” Oladipupo said.

Another student, Muhiz Alaka, urged the state government to investigate the killing, insisting that Damilola’s death could not have been a mistake.

“We want justice for our lost brother, we want everyone involved in his death to be brought to justice. The Oyo State government must intervene and prosecute the perpetrator. The school management has not said anything about it yet, but we just want the perpetrator to be summoned.

“An eyewitness said it was not a stray bullet, but intentional. This student-accused officer is known for abusing students. He visits their hostels and bullies them. He has been causing a nuisance in the university community for some time.”

Similarly, another student, Oluwatobiloba Ojediran, also sought the investigation and prosecution of the alleged officer if he was found guilty of the allegation leveled against him.

“One was killed, one was injured, and the convocation was yesterday. Two brothers from one parent are victims of this cruelty, it is unfair if we remain silent. Justice must prevail and the police officer must face the wrath of the law.”

When contacted, the state police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed that investigations had begun into the incident.

“The investigation is ongoing. Updates will be provided accordingly,” Osifeso said.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Odoba Oche, confirmed that the deceased was a member of the Corps.

He said: “We have confirmed that the deceased was a Corp member serving in Ibadan North Local Government. He was reportedly invited to his brother’s meeting at LAUTECH where the unfortunate incident took place.

Oche added that arrangements have been made to visit the site of the incident for further investigation before any official communication would be made to the family of the deceased.