A second-year student at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in Oyo State, named Alex Timileyin, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of students over the suspected theft of a cell phone.
The incident took place at a hostel called Shepherd Inn on the university campus on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Reports indicate that the students also forcibly shaved the victim’s hair.
An anonymous university source revealed that the assault began at 6pm on Friday and continued until around 10am on Saturday.
“They claimed they caught him with a stolen phone. They started beating him from 6pm yesterday (Friday) until he died around 10am today (Saturday). The incident happened at ‘Shepherd Inn,’ which functions like a hostel now. They also shaved his hair before beating him,” the source said.
An online video shows the deceased student on the ground being beaten by fellow students with sticks.
In response, the management of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) has expelled the students involved in the incident.
This was announced in a statement released by the university’s spokesperson, Femi Atoyebi, on Saturday, May 25.
The university emphasized that there is no cultism within the institution despite rumors to the contrary and reiterated its strict stance against all forms of misconduct and vices.
“Contrary to what is trending, the university affirms that there is no cultism in the institution, just as the university has zero tolerance for any sort of anti-societal vices and misconduct,” the statement read.
“It is important to stress that the expelled students do not belong to any cult group.”
In addition to the expulsions, Ajayi Crowther University has handed over all students implicated in the incident to detectives from the Oyo State Police Command for further investigation.
