The management of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) has paid a condolence visit to the family of Akpo Alex, a 22-year-old 200-level Mechanical Engineering student who was beaten to death by fellow students in his hostel over alleged phone theft.
The university delegation, led by the Registrar, Dr. Jadesola E.T. Babatola, the Dean of Student's Affairs, Prof. Roland Isibor, and a senior member of the Chaplaincy, Venerable Ayo Dideola, visited Alex's family in Kubwa, Abuja.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, who has been deeply saddened by the student's death, announced a three-day mourning period in honor of the murdered student. The university has also declared a three-day mourning period, during which there will be no lectures but instead, prayers and fasting.
"This is my fourth year as VC of Ajayi Crowther University, and I never imagined that an unfortunate incident of this nature would ever occur in this university. I have been weeping since the incident. I see all the students as my biological children," Prof. Adebayo stated during a press conference in the Council Chamber.
The vice-chancellor vehemently denied the presence of cultism on campus, stating that there are no bushes on campus and that by 8 pm every day, students are already in their hostels.
According to the Registrar, Dr. Babatola, Alex was picked from his room and taken to another room, where he was beaten to a stupor over allegations that he stole a phone and transferred money to play sporting bets. The university management was unaware of the beating until the next morning when a student reported the incident.
Mrs. Anthonia Ozegbe, the mother of the late student, revealed that her son had been constantly asking her for money, despite receiving N100,000 monthly, as he was being harassed by bullies in the school. She expressed her sorrow, stating that her son did not confide in her or his elder sister about the challenges he was facing.
The university has handed over 12 students and the porter who was supposed to be on duty to the police for further investigation.