Tension has heightened in Akungba-Akoko following the gruesome murder of Joy Adeyemi, a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, reportedly killed by her boyfriend.
The incident occurred just three weeks after two other students of the institution, Andrel Okah and John Abba, were kidnapped and murdered. The latest killing has thrown the university community into mourning and triggered a widespread protest by students demanding justice and improved security.
Joy Adeyemi, a student in the Department of Human Kinetics, was said to have been killed and locked inside her boyfriend’s room. Her body was discovered days later after neighbours raised an alarm over a foul odour emanating from the room.
A source told newsmen that the suspect, who is said to be an indigene of Akungba, fled the town after the incident and allegedly stole proceeds from the victim’s POS business.
“This is getting out of hand. First, we lost two students to kidnappers. Now another has been killed. The government must act now before this turns into a full-blown crisis,” a protesting student said.
Students stormed the streets of Akungba carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Killing AAUA Students,” “Ondo Government Must Act Now,” and “Enough is Enough.” They also sang solidarity songs demanding justice for the slain student and others.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee, Ondo Axis, in a joint statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Adekanye Adeboye, and Secretary, Oladele Emmanuel, condemned the repeated attacks on students of the institution.
“The recent spate of killings in AAUA is alarming and unacceptable. We cannot continue to bury our colleagues while those responsible walk freely. The government must live up to its responsibility,” the statement said.
NANS issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Ondo State Government and relevant security agencies to arrest the perpetrator and implement concrete security measures around the university environment.
“Failure to act will force us to mobilise students from across Nigeria for a peaceful protest in Ondo State until our demands are met,” the students’ body warned.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the suspect had fled but assured that operatives are on his trail. He added that three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently under interrogation.
