Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) members in Ekiti State held a street protest yesterday over the reported death of a corps member, Damilola Iyanda, allegedly killed by a police officer, Ekiti News reports.
Iyanda, who hails from Ogotun-Ekiti, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, was purportedly shot by a police officer dispatched to intervene in a dispute at an after-party following the convocation ceremony at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The students chanted solidarity songs as they marched to the House of Assembly Complex, calling for justice for the deceased.
Adekunle Benjamin, National President of FESSU described the incident as ‘sheer wickedness’. He said the peaceful protest was to urge the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, ‘to look into the ugly incident and liaise with his Oyo State counterpart in ensuring justice is served’.
He said: “We demand a swift investigation into this unfortunate matter and the culprit should be brought to book. We demand compensation for the bereaved family.
“We equally demand comprehensive treatment of his brother who was injured and whose health is deteriorating. We demand an end to police brutality in Nigeria. Police should be our friend, save us and not kill us.
“We have come to the House of Assembly today to speak with the Speaker to liaise with his counterpart in Oyo State for swift justice for Iyanda Damilola and Iyanda Oluwafemi. They are from Ekiti State, precisely Ogotun-Ekiti.”
The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, received the protesting students and strongly condemned the murder, assuring them that the House would ensure justice is served.
“We express our condolences to the family and we condemn the killing. Whatever it is, I don’t believe any police officer will take the life of any human being, one who is not a criminal and defenseless citizen without provocation.
“We condemn it and the House will deliberate on it during plenary,” Aribasoye added.