12 in police custody over killing of student, says VC of Ajayi Crowther varsity

The management of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in Oyo state has declared a three-day mourning over the death of a student of the institution.

Last weekend, Akpo Alex, a 200-level Mechanical Engineering student, was beaten to death by some of his colleagues over alleged phone theft.

The varsity earlier announced that the students had been expelled.

But on Monday, Timothy Adebayo, the varsity vice-chancellor, disclosed that 20 students were arrested and handed over to the police.

He added that following the preliminary investigations, only 12 of them were detained.

The VC said the institution had taken adequate measures to forestall such incidents.

Adebayo also declared a three-day mourning for the late student.

“The university has declared a three-day mourning to be observed by all students as well as fasting and prayers for management, staff, board of trustees and representative of the church overseeing the school from Wednesday to Sunday,” he said.

Adebayo also said the porter who was supposed to be on duty on the day of the incident has also been detained at the police headquarters in Ibadan.

“The deceased student, Akpo Alex a 200-level Mechanical Engineering student and about 22 years old, was alleged to have stolen a phone and transferred some amount from it to sports betting,” he added.

“But the school has learnt from this incident and has beefed up security and monitoring, while encouraging students to report whatever is happening around them to the vice-chancellor and other management staff.”