FUOYE crisis: Families of slain students seek justice

Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Families of the two students that lost their lives during the recent protest by the students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), have demanded for justice. They charged the police to fish out the killers of their sons.

They also called on  members of the panel constituted by the management of the institution to expedite action on the cause of their children’s death.

The families of the two deceased students, Joseph Okonofua and Kehinde Dada,  spoke separately with our correspondent when he visited their residents in Usi and Ido-Ekiti, both in Ido/Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State.

Mother of Joseph Okonofua, Mrs. Esther, who could not control her anger and emotion,  said she had only two sons and had laboured a lot before she could get the two in her life.

“I feel deep pains in my heart. I suffered to bring the two of them up. I loved them and with the two of them, I am contented. But now, they have killed one. They killed my beloved son. The son that cherished me. He called me sweet mother. They killed him, they killed him.

“He was not supposed to die. He was a peace-loving student. Everybody knew him in that school. His popular name was, “Joseph Icon.

 “He was a comedian. He had a media concept where he used to act drama in the church and everywhere.

“He was the President of the children in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ekiti State Province III.

“ I am deeply pained. My heart is filled with pains. I don’t have power to judge, but I leave everything to God almighty and I believe God will judge,” she lamented.

In the same vein,  the elderly brother of the deceased, Bankole Omotayo Dada, said, “It is quite unfortunate. It is very painful. We did not expect it, my parents laboured a lot from the time of pregnancy to his childhood days.

“My parents nurtured this boy from childhood to the moment, both of them were retired civil servants. The life of the boy was cut short. If he had been sick, it would have been another thing.

“We have contacted the family lawyer. We cannot just be looking at the situation like this. If this kind of thing is not stopped, it will still affect another family. We are taking a legal step.

“I believe the law will take its course. I have put up a petition to the National Assembly, and copied the state government which I believe that very soon, the National Assembly will receive my petition in that regard,” he stated.

Also one of the cousins of the late Crop Science student, Kehinde Dada, who gave his name as Abiodun Adaran described the deceased as,”he was a gentle boy and complete brilliant guy. His sudden death was a painful one to the whole family.

“Now we have lost him. His father sold his car so that he could go to school. See the tragedy that befell him. Both parents have retired, with no gratuity and pension.

“Is this the coin with which they would be paid pension? It is very painful.

“I am here from Lagos because of this issue. We went through the pains to get the police report. We bought the coffin and buried the boy. Though we are still going to take legal action on this issue. When the family meets, the position will be clear.”