Two people believed to be members of the Awo Hall Executives have been arrested by police after the death of a Level 500 student of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ahize Okoli.
Okoli was reportedly beaten to death by a mob on suspicion of stealing a cell phone.
According to campus sources, the student was accused of stealing a cell phone at Awo Hall on Monday and after being severely beaten was transferred to the Student Union building in the early hours of Tuesday, where he remained until around noon.
It was further learned that Okoli's health was deteriorating due to the beating he was subjected to and he was transferred to the OAU -Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, where he was confirmed dead Tuesday afternoon.
Osun State Police Command provided an update on the incident on Wednesday, describing the two arrested people as student leaders.
The command's spokeswoman, Yemisi Opalola told journalists: "The investigation into the incident continues and justice is being served. We arrested two student leaders in connection with the incident.”
The university's public relations officer Abiodun Olarewaju also said that the police should investigate the matter, adding that the institution's management would also investigate.
Olanrevayu said: "The university will not interfere in such a serious offense. It interferes with the crime of murder.
"So let the police do their job and we'll do our own here. We continue our investigation.”
Meanwhile, students from the Faculty of Technology blocked roads leading to the school campus Wednesday to protest Okoli's death.
The protesters, who also called for the arrest of all those involved in the attack on the deceased students, specifically called for the arrest of student security volunteers who allegedly took the deceased into custody after he was attacked at the Awo dorm.
The protesting students, who also arranged for the lecture not to take place on campus, as a mark of respect for the deceased student, later removed the barricade and allowed movement onto campus after the Dean, Department of Student Affairs, Prof. Olalekan Aransi, heard their demands.
Aransi, while addressing the students, asked them to be peaceful and assured them that management would take care of their concerns.