By Abdul Razaq Ibrahim, Abeokuta
Students and people around the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital was on Tuesday were alarmed following alleged deaths of four students of the polytechnic who were reported to have been killed by cult members.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
The deaths of four students, including one Muraina Ibrahim, also known as Elebe, an ND II student of Computer Engineering; one Demola, ND II student of Mass Communication and two other un-identified students, were said to have been caused by rivalry clash between Eiye and Buccanear confraternities (two cult groups) which has been on for about a week.
The ongoing clash, coupled with the intermittent onslaught of Police detachment on the cult groups have resulted into palpable fears gripping the students and residents of the areas, including, Ojeere, Oluwo, Oloke and Adigbe communities in Abeokuta as many of houses and various apartments were under lock and key, and many students were fleeing.
Sundiata Post reports that about 10 persons have been arrested by the Police in connection with the killing, while the hostel; Power House, where Demola resided during the Polytechnic last Semester, has also been under lock and key for days.
One of the students leaders, who spoke with journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Adegbola Ebenezer Ifeoluwa blamed the action of the police, saying the arrests of students carried out by the Police were indiscriminate as many arrested students were innocent.
Ifeoluwa, while narrating his ordeal in the hands of the police officer in Adigbe Divisional Police Headquarters, said attempts by the leaders to secure the release of the innocent students were resisted by the police as many of the students were arrested, detained and man-handled.
“The Police started raiding on Saturday, some were arrested at Q Bar in Adigbe while others were arrested along the streets and bus stops. We approached the Police station as leaders of the students, the mission was a peaceful protest to secure the release of detained innocent students.
“We were told that the police have visited the houses of the arrested students for incriminating objects and they found none. But we were amazed at the attempt of the police to secure false statements from the detained students. Unfortunately many of us were also arrested, detained while the police shot directly at us. I was particularly beaten with iron rod”, he alleged.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi said nine students were being held in connection with the killing
The PPRO explained that the police has been facing security challenges in Onikolobo and some other areas of the state adding that the students should not abuse their status to involve in Cultism and attack police officers.
He said, “We have been facing security challenges in Onikolobo for some days because of some suspected Cultists clashing in the area and we would not fold our arms and allow brake down of law and order.
“We will continue what we have to do within the ambit of the law and any cult member found would be dealt with. If the students feel the police are not doing the right thing, they should follow the procedure and not staging protest.
“We have our targets, we know who we are looking for, we know the black spots and we will fish them out. Any student wrongly arrested would be released after being questioned.”
He assured that those found guilty would soon be paraded by State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali.