Alleged phone theft: Police nab two students over lynching of student on varsity campus

Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the death of Okoli Chizoputam, a student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun State, who was beaten to death on Monday.

The State Police Command which confirmed the arrests on Thursday, expressed the regrets that Chizoputam was a victim of jungle justice following unproven allegation that he stole a phone at Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence in the institution.

Persecondnews gathered that the deceased was a 500 level student of the Department of Civil Engineering in the first generation university.

Mrs Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the command, in a statement obtained by Persecondnews, confirmed the arrest of the two suspects.

She also warned students to desist from jungle justice and taking laws into their hands.

She 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.”

Persecondnews reported how a 35-year-old-man, OlorunFemi Tope,was lynched after he reportedly crushed four persons to death at ljoka area of Akure, the Ondo state capital, on Monday.

His parents, who reportedly rushed to the scene while the mob was stoning him to death, escaped death by a whisker.

Also on May 12, 2022, 22-year-old Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a second year student of Shehu Shagari College of Education was killed by a mob of Muslim students in Sokoto, after being accused of blasphemy, a development which sparked national and international condemnation.