Kwara Poly management, students demand justice for student allegedly killed by police

The management of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and the students have demanded justice for a 21-year-old student of the institution, Abdulqoyyum Bamidele, allegedly killed by the police in Ilorin, the state capital.

DAILY POST reports that on Thursday, students of the polytechnic, led by the institution’s Students’ Union President, Olalekan Isola, and the National President of the National Association of Kwara State Students, Abdulwahab Habeebullahi Arewa, marched to the state police command headquarters in Ilorin to demand justice for the fellow student, Abdulqoyyum Bamide, a National Diploma two (ND) 2 student of Electrical/Electronics Engineering of the institution.

A statement by the students’ union expressed a deep sense of responsibility over the alleged unfortunate incident involving the student and members of the police force.

“Earlier today (Thursday), we held an extensive meeting with relevant police authorities lasting over three hours.

“Our discussions were productive and we are working closely with the institution’s management and other key stakeholders to investigate the matter thoroughly,” he said.

According to sources, Abdulqoyyum was allegedly chased to the Fate area of Ilorin by an alleged officer of the Kwara State police command to an enclosed area.

“What happened there is still unclear, but when Abdulqoyyum was found, he had suffered a deep wound on one of his arms.

“He was thereafter taken to the Kwara State General hospital where he gave up the ghost on Thursday morning and was buried the same morning according to Islamic religion burial rites,” a source said.

It was gathered that Abdulqoyyum Bamide succumbed to his injuries at the state general hospital after losing a significant amount of blood.

In his reaction, Rector of the institution, Engr Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, expressed sadness over the demise of the late ND 2, Electronic Engineering student.

A statement by the spokesperson of the institution, Mrs Halimat Garba, in Ilorin on Friday, disclosed that the tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, around GRA, in the Ilorin metropolis.

“The circumstances around the young and promising student’s death is still dicy as there were many unconfirmed stories and narratives around it.

“The school management is committed to ensuring that justice is served as appropriate based on the final reports of the matter,” the statement added.

The Rector appreciated the students for being calm and not taking the laws into their hands, stressing that as the investigation unfolds, the polytechnic community remains resolute in its demand for accountability and justice for Abdulqoyyum.

Spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, in Ilorin on Friday, said investigation into the matter had commenced.

She said the police command would come out with the outcome of the diligent findings after completion.