LAUTECH students decry killing of kidnapped colleague, demand justice

By Stephen Gbadamosi

Students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) have kicked against the killing of one of them, Rachael Opadele, by kidnappers shortly after a ransom of N5 million was paid for her release.

According to a statement by the students on Wednesday, signed by the Students Union Government (SUG) president, General-Secretary and Public Relations Officer (PRO); Adeboye Anuoluwa, Opaleke Okiki Ibrahim and Michael Love Gabriel, respectively, and entitled: “The

Murder of Rachael Opadele: A Cry of Agony and for Justice,” the students lamented that all efforts to get authorities to come to the rescue of the student proved abortive.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the gruesome killing of our dear colleague, Rachael, a final-year student of LAUTECH, who was kidnapped where she was working in Ogbomoso, due to ASUU strike, on behalf of the entire students of LAUTECH.

“This is a dark moment in our school, as we were lashed with the death of one of us. We were consumed when we first heard about her kidnap and we led the team to write to governments, security operatives and all concerned stakeholders to see to her release without her dying.

“It is so disheartening and terrible to have heard her dead in the early hours of today.

“Our heart is bleeding. Despite the notice to the government, security operatives and all other stakeholders, there was no known form of genuine commitment demonstrated by all of them in addressing this ugly trend in our community and the state.

“We cried out, but unfortunately, it ended just on the walls of social media platforms, because we are mere students whose lives mean nothing to the government.

“Our cries and calls have generated nothing else than more pains, hurts, fears, sorrows and endless lamentations. If we had government or community stakeholders that could respond swiftly to that unfortunate incident, her killing would have been prevented, DailyTimesNGR gathered.

“This is no doubt an affirmation of the saying that ‘all animals are not equal,’ because if it were to be your daughter that was kidnapped, nothing of this unfortunate event would have happened.

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“As a matter of urgency, the federal and state governments should prioritise our safety and security.

“We call on the government to administer justice to Rachael. The government should act fast and let justice be served. As a matter of urgency, we are challenging the government to present to the public the killer(s) of our dear colleague.

“Enough of killing innocent Nigerians; we won’t continue to fold our arms while the government continues to be lackadaisical about the security matters in our community.

“Our warmest condolences are with the family, friends, and well-wishers of Rachael Opadele. All Ladoke Akintola University of Technology students mourn with you, for we are in this together. May the Good Lord comfort us all. May justice be granted for our loss,” the statement read.