The management and students of Kwara State Polytechnic are demanding justice for one of the institution’s students, who was allegedly murdered by police in Ilorin, the state capital.
In response to the tragedy, the institution’s Rector, Engr Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, expressed his sadness over the student’s death.
As the investigation continues, the polytechnic community is committed to justice and accountability for Abdulqoyyum’s death. He also praised students for not taking laws into their hands.
Mrs Halimat Garba, the institution’s spokesperson, stated on Friday that the terrible occurrence occurred on Wednesday in the Ilorin metropolis.
“The circumstances around the death of that young and promising student is still dicey as there were many unconfirmed stories around it.
The school management however is committed to ensuring that justice is served as appropriate based on the final reports of the matter,” the statement said.
On their own statement, the students union president Olalekan Isola expressed a deep sense of responsibility over the alleged unfortunate incident involving the student and members of the police force.
“We have held an extensive meeting with relevant police authorities lasting three hours and our discussions were productive as we are working closely with the management and other key stakeholders to investigate the matter thoroughly,” he said.
On Thursday, students from the institution, led by Olalekan Isola SUG president and the National President of the National Association of Kwara State Students, Abdulwahab Habeebullahi Arewa, marched to the state police headquarters to demand justice for the death of Abdulqoyyum Bamide, a National Diploma two (ND) 2 student of Electrical/Electronics Engineering at the institution.
According to a source, Abdulqoyum was stopped on a commercial motorbike by a police officer along Panal Road in Fate Ilorin and asked for a bribe after being ordered into their patrol vehicle, but when the deceased refused and tried to get out of the car, he was chased and shot.
“What happened there is still unclear, but when Abdulqoyyum was found, he had suffered a deep wound on one of his arms.
“He was thereafter taken to the Kwara State General hospital where he gave up the ghost on Thursday morning and was buried the same morning according to Islamic religion burial rites.”
The state police command PPRO, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, in Ilorin on Friday, said investigation into the matter had commenced and the police command would reveal the outcome of the findings after the completion.