Ahize Okoli, a 500 Level student of the Civil Engineering Department at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife was reportedly beaten to death by a mob on suspicion that he stole another man’s mobile phone.

According to sources on the campus, the student was accused of stealing a mobile phone in Awo Hall on Monday and after he had been severely beaten, he was moved to the Students Union Building in the early hours of Tuesday where he remained till around noon.

It was confirmed that a student, who had earlier been beaten up by other students over the disappearance of a mobile phone was rushed to the OAU Teaching Hospital where he eventually died on Tuesday afternoon.

The Osun State Police Command, while giving an update on the incident on Wednesday, described the two people detained as student leaders.

The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who spoke to journalists, said, “Investigation into the incident will continue and justice would be served. We have arrested two student leaders in connection with the incident.”

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, agreed that the police should be allowed to investigate. He also said that the management will carry out its own investigation into matters.

“The university will not meddle in such a grievous offence. It bothers on the criminality of murder.

“So, let the police do their job and we will do our own here. We are going ahead with our investigation,"he said.

Meanwhile, students at the Faculty of Technology blocked roads leading to campus on Wednesday in protest against Okoli’s death.

The protesters, who also demanded the arrest of all those involved in the assault on the deceased student, specifically called for the arrest of student security volunteers, who allegedly took custody of the deceased after he had been assaulted in Awo Hall of Residence.

The protesting students, who also ensured that lecture did not hold on campus, as a sign of respect for the deceased student, later removed the barricade and allowed movement into the campus, after the Dean, the Division of Students Affairs, Prof. Olalekan Aransi, had listened to their demands.

Aransi, while addressing the students, pleaded with them to let peace reign, assuring them that the management would address their concerns.