Pandemonium rocks LAUTECH as students, police trade accusation over shooting of graduand
Khalid ABRAHAM
Crisis rocked Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso early Tuesday as students embarked on an angry protest over alleged killing of an unidentified student, one of those said to have celebrated his graduation Monday during the undergraduate convocation, by men of the Nigerian Police Force.
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The students shut the gate of the institution causing a temporary delay in starting the grand finale of its 16th convocation ceremonies today.
The students however shifted from the main gate to protest at other theatres around the school.
According to investigations by ogbomosoinsightonline.com, the students were celebrating the graduation of the deceased and others Monday night at a club house at Under-G area when the disaster struck.
A student who declined to give his name informed, “the celebration degenerated and an heated argument ensued, leading to fracas, it was during the altercation that one police operative identified as Saheed fired a gun that killed the victim. His brother who was also at the party was wounded in the melee.”
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He alleged Saheed of causing similar trouble about three years ago saying that made him to be transferred out of Ogbomoso but “he is now back. He was drunk yesterday night during the incident,” the source said.
However, when contacted, a police officer at the Police Area Command Owode, Ogbomoso, who also spoke unanimously, rejected the allegation that policemen fired the shot that killed the student.
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He said,”The owner of an hotel called the police that cult guys were engaged in a fierce confrontation using guns at the venue and when the police arrived, the combatants fled, and the deceased was already in his pool of blood. He was already hit before the police got there. Those firing at one another don’t they know guns kill?” He queried.
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Meanwhile, it was reported some students suspected to be cult guys numbering over 30, were sighted Saturday at Under-G area, bearing cutlasses and daggers, spoiling for a fight. But they were said to have been dispersed by the police who timely arrived.
In the meantime the convocation ceremony had proceeded with many dignitaries in attendance including the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege 111; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri III; Okere of Saki, Eleyinpo of Ipapo and Alamodu of Ago Amodu.
Oyo state Commissioner of education Prof Salihu Adelabu who represented Oyo state governor and Visitor Engr Seyi Makinde, Senator Dr Abdulfatai Buhari and Prof Adeolu Akande are also in attendance.
A video footage of the protest
