By Capital Watch Media
The Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Joint Campus Council has condemned the alleged killing of Adedamola Ogunbode, a 2024 graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), and announced plans for a large-scale protest.
Despite police reports maintaining that Ogunbode’s case remains a “missing person” investigation, students have claimed that he was “killed in cold blood by a so-called prophet” in Ojo, Lagos State.
Ogunbode, a Political Science Education graduate, has reportedly been missing since 16 January 2025, with unconfirmed reports suggesting his mutilated body had been discovered.
The Lagos State Police Command, however, denied these claims.
“As of now, this remains a missing person case. No confirmed reports of a discovered body have been made,” said the command’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin.
Hundeyin confirmed that three suspects, including a prophet, had been arrested in connection with Ogunbode’s disappearance.
“Investigations are ongoing, and the public will be informed of any new developments,” he added.
In a statement released on Thursday, NANS JCC Lagos State, led by Chairman Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri and Public Relations Officer Ridwan Ajayi, called the incident “a direct attack on the Nigerian student community.”
The association described the case as “a reflection of how insecure and unsafe Nigeria has become for young people striving for a better future.”
The students demanded a transparent and decisive legal process.
“We will resist any attempts at political interference or compromise,” the statement read.
NANS called on the Lagos State Government to acknowledge the growing insecurity faced by students.
“If young people can be killed in such gruesome circumstances, what hope is left for the future of Nigeria?” they asked.
The students also requested special security measures around tertiary institutions and student communities to prevent similar incidents.
Calling for stricter oversight of religious organisations, the statement continued, “While religion remains a fundamental right, it must not be a cover for crime and bloodshed.”
NANS urged authorities to audit religious centres operating in student environments to root out criminal activities.
“We call for a full-scale investigation into any centres suspected of harbouring criminal elements,” they added.
The association also demanded to be included in the investigative process.
“We refuse to be spectators while justice is being decided for one of our own,” the statement insisted.
Warning of potential unrest, NANS said, “If urgent actions are not taken, we will mobilise the full strength of the student movement across Lagos State in protest.”
The students stressed their commitment to ensuring justice, stating, “This is beyond Adedamola; this is about the fundamental right to life that every Nigerian student deserves.”
Expressing solidarity with the LASU student body, NANS offered condolences to Ogunbode’s family, friends, and colleagues.
“We stand with LASU students in this moment of grief,” they said.
LASU’s management has also demanded justice for Ogunbode.
“The university is deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of our own,” said Deputy Registrar Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile.
Reports received by the university suggest Ogunbode’s mutilated body was allegedly found buried in the compound of a well-known church in Ojo.
The 28-year-old graduate had been missing since 16 January, sparking widespread concern and calls for swift action.
A similar case was reported in 2022, when a LASU final-year student disappeared in May 2019 and remained missing for 17 months.
