NANS Demands Answers As AAUA Students’ Alleged Killer Dies In Custody

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee(JCC), Ondo Axis, has demanded answers over the sudden death of the prime suspect in the murder of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA).

Recall that the two missing undergraduate students, Andrew Eloho Okah and Nohn Friday Abbah, were allegedly kidnapped and subsequently murdered by one Femi Oladele.

The police command on Friday confirmed the death of Oladele, who reportedly died in a hospital after falling sick.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Ondo, JCC, Comr. Adekanye Mayomi Adeboye, NANS called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of the prime suspect who it was reported had suddenly died in police custody.

“The tragic loss of our students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), remains a painful wound that is yet to heal. Their untimely demise shook our student body to its core, and we continue to mourn their absence while seeking justice on their behalf,” the students said.

The students appealed to the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the Ondo State Command to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted into the cause of the suspect’s death.

While commending the police for their swift response and efforts in investigating the case, NANS emphasised the need for accountability and transparency in the handling of the suspect’s death.

The association noted that every life matters, and the truth must come to light.

“We acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the swift response and ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in investigating the case and bringing the suspects to justice. The arrests made were a significant step in the right direction, and we commend the commitment of the Force in the face of a very sensitive matter.

“However, the sudden and unfortunate death of the prime suspect in custody has raised more questions than answers. While we are not making accusations, it is our duty as student leaders to advocate for accountability and transparency. We believe that every life matters — even that of a suspect — and the truth, in all its form, must come to light.

“We therefore humbly call on the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Ondo State Command, to conduct a thorough, professional, and transparent investigation into the exact cause of the suspect’s death. We ask this not out of distrust but out of a strong desire to ensure that due process is followed and that justice — true and unquestionable — is delivered not just to the deceased AAUA students, but also to the public that seeks such.

“This is not a call to apportion blame or cast doubt on the competence of the police. Rather, it is a respectful appeal for openness in handling this critical development. Justice, as we all know, must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” it said.

They also urged the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to lend his support to ensure that justice is served.

“We equally appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to continue to lend his voice and influence toward ensuring that every necessary support is given to the Police and other relevant agencies involved in the investigation.

“As a student community, we remain calm, law-abiding, and focused on justice. We implore all stakeholders, from security operatives to government officials, to join us in ensuring that the lives of our students are not lost in vain.

“We owe it to the memory of our fallen comrades. We owe it to the families grieving them. We owe it to the students of Ondo State. Justice must be served fairly, transparently, and completely,” the statement said.

NANS Demands Answers As AAUA Students’ Alleged Killer Dies In Custody is first published on The Whistler Newspaper