Ondo: Protest Over Death of Poly Student Shot By Amotekun

By Ayodele Oni

Students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo state on Friday protested the death of one of their colleagues, Folarera Ademola, a first year national diploma student from the department of Science Laboratory Technology.

He  was said to have died after being fatally  shot by an officer of the Amotekun corps.

The protesting students have now issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government to hand over the said officer to the Nigeria police for proper prosecution, take charge of the deceased’s Burial, and compensate the family.

But the security outfit, in its reaction said the deceased was mistakingly shot  while trying to evade arrest, and during a strugged with an officer.

Amotekun also claimed that the deceased was found among some suspects that specialize in snatching motorcycles at a hideout somewhere in Owo.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the Students’ Union President, Olorunda Oluwafemi, confirmed that the boy was shot on the 27th of June by an officer of the Amotekun at his house.

Oluwafemi added that the deceased suffered the gunshot wounds for 10 days before he was taken to the Federal edical Center Owo, where he gave up the ghost on Thursday.

Amotekun statement reads “Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network “Amotekun Corps” and Office of the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matter have received with dismay and sadness the news the death of a Student of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo allegedly shot by one of the Amotekun men in Owo during an operation.

“It is necessary for the Corps to explain to the public what transpired few days ago that led to the unfortunate death of the student.

“In its avowed determination to ensure that Ondo State is rid of criminal elements, the state Amotekun Corps is investigating the case of a syndicate that specializes in attacking Okada riders with dangerous weapons and dispossess them of their motorcycles in the process.

“Luck however ran out of one of the syndicates who was given a hot chase into a building in Owo by men of the Amotekun Corps where other members of the gang were met,15 men in the building, 7 out of the men naked inside the room filled with smoke. And four Okadas were also found inside the bedroom.

“After introducing themselves to the men, the men struggled to disarm the operative whose alarm attracted the other two outside.

“In an attempt to apprehend the suspect, they swung on men of the Corps, trying to disarm them and in the course of the struggle, one of their riffles triggered off and hit one of the suspect and an Amotekun officer.

“At that instance, non of them told Amotekun officers that they were students.”

According to the State Commander of the Amotekun Corps,  Adetunji Adeleye, his men eventually overpowered the suspects, arrested and took them to the Corps Office in Owo, where they were detained while investigation continued.

The incident, he explained, occurred on June 27 and 28.

‘He was released on health ground, with a promise to return to the corps custody so as to continue investigation.

“The suspect left our facility on same day, 11 days after the incident to get first aid treatment with the promise to return in continuation of the investigation.

“Surprisingly, the news of the death of the injured suspect filtered yesterday after 11 days the incident occurred.

“We sincerely register our Condolences to the family and friends of the deceased while we continue with our indepth and thorough investigation to the real cause of his death.”