The ongoing examinations at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, were violently interrupted on Wednesday. Hoodlums, suspected to be cultists, invaded the campus, forcibly removed a final-year student, Ahmed Ayinla Fabiyi, and brutally murdered him.
Fabiyi, who was studying in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, was preparing to sit for his final exam and celebrate his birthday on the same day. According to a reliable source, the tragic event unfolded around 3 p.m., just as the examination was about to commence.
The attackers reportedly posed as friends, ostensibly planning to surprise Fabiyi for his birthday. Under this pretense, they escorted him out of the examination hall. Another source disclosed that the group then dragged Fabiyi to a secluded corner, where they shot him and struck him on the head with a brick, ensuring he was dead before leaving the scene.
The source recounted, “They were having their final paper when some boys, suspected to be cultists, barged into the examination hall and dragged him out. They kicked him, shot him, and hit him with a brick on the head. It was only when they confirmed he was lifeless that they left. The school security team later arrived and took him to the school clinic, where he was declared dead.”
The Students Union President, Bethel Olorunfunmi, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that medical efforts to save Fabiyi were unsuccessful. Olorunfunmi expressed, “It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of a tragic event that occurred today. A student was attacked on campus, and despite the efforts of medical staff at the General Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this trying time.
“In response to this incident, we are instituting strict security measures to safeguard all students. Effective immediately, a mandatory curfew will be enforced, requiring all students to stay indoors starting from 10 p.m. tonight. Please understand that this measure is for your safety. We are collaborating closely with university authorities and law enforcement agencies, who are conducting a thorough investigation and enhancing security across the campus.”
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ayotunde Odubela, added that the attackers’ true intentions became clear only after they began dragging Fabiyi towards a wooded area near the university’s technical workshop. There, he was viciously beaten and attacked with a machete.
“Initially, everyone believed they were celebrating his birthday because Wednesday was actually his birthday,” Odubela explained. “This did not raise any immediate alarms. However, as they dragged him towards the bushy area near the technical workshop, it became evident something was wrong. The school security unit was alerted, but by the time they reached the location, Fabiyi had already been severely beaten and macheted. The assailants fled upon seeing the security officers.
“The security team transported him to the school medical center, where he received immediate attention and was then referred to the General Hospital in Ijebu Ode. He was further referred to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, but sadly, he passed away before reaching the hospital.”
State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and stated that the command had initiated an investigation and was conducting raids on suspected cultist hideouts in the area. She assured that all efforts were being made to apprehend those responsible for the crime.
“Our officers responded immediately to the scene of the incident,” Odutola stated. “Detectives from various divisions are actively combing and raiding all potential hideouts of the suspects. Every effort is being made to bring all the perpetrators to justice.”
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