In recent times, the crime rate at Ogbomoso, Oyo
State has become inordinately high. And this is
more so the case in areas where the student
populace of the Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology, (LAUTECH) reside.
With reports of theft, burglary, assault and rape,
among other vices on the rise, the students of the
institution residing at Adenike area again rose to
an uproar on September 6, as one of the
notorious armed robbers-cum-rapist was finally
caught in the act. Continue...
Minimal violence ensued as the intended victims
called the Students’ Union leadership and handed
the criminal over to them. The Speaker of the
Students Representative Council, Olalekan Salami,
alongside other members of the House, took the
criminal in the Unions’ bus, but unfortunately, on
their way to the Police Station, the bus was
involved in a mysterious accident, leaving a
severe injury on Olalekan and 14 other persons in
the bus with the exception of the criminal, Segun
(last name withheld).
This accident further enraged the already pensive
students as they promptly descended on the thief,
stripped him naked and beat him severely. The
police, prior to this time had already been
summoned, so the students’ protest was halted
at Orita Naira, where the Police Force demanded
that the criminal be released to them.
The Students’ Union President, Areo Ajibola and
the student leader, Bolarinwa Sheriffdeen, reacting
on behalf of the entire students, refused to
release him. The school authorities’
representatives present at the scene; Deputy Vice
Chancellor, Professor Timothy Adebayo, Dean of
Students’ Affairs, Dr Tunde Olabiyisi and Deputy
Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Ishola, aided in
calming down the students.
After much deliberations among the police force,
the school authorities, the student leaders and the
aggrieved town people, Segun was released on
the agreement that he would be taken to Souns’
palace.
However, a police barricade at Iyana Owode,
obstructed and redirected the protestants from
their initial destination to the Ogbomoso Police
Station.
Upon arrival at the police station, only Segun,
Professor Adebayo, Dr Olabiyisi, Dr Ishola, Areo,
Sheriffdeen, and two National Union of Campus
Journalists members were allowed entrance into
the police grounds.
After a lengthy meeting, the Area Commander and
the District Police Officer assured the student
leaders of justice and maximum security for the
school and the town as a whole henceforth.
Culled from Nigerian Tribune

Na wa o!