Kwara Polytechnic SUG Demands Transparent Investigation Following Student’s Death

The Student Union Government (SUG) of Kwara State Polytechnic has issued a strong call for an open investigation by the Nigeria Police Force into the death of their fellow student, Qoyum Abdulyekeen Bamidele. The ND II student from the Electrical Electronic Engineering Department was tragically shot on Wednesday, 4th September, along Panat Road, behind the old JAMB office in Ilorin.

In a statement released by SUG President Sahed Olalekan Ishola and provided to Accurate News Nigeria, the union expressed deep dissatisfaction with the police’s response to the incident. Despite a meeting with the State Police Command's senior officials, there has been no progress in identifying the officer responsible for Bamidele’s death.

The SUG’s statement reads in part: “Today, we gather with heavy hearts and a sense of outrage over the brutal murder of our colleague, Quayum Abdulyekeen Ishola. His life was cruelly taken by what we believe to be police brutality along Panat-ShopRite road, an area notorious for police extortion and harassment. The trauma and fear instilled by this act are profound.”

The union criticized the police for their insensitivity and ongoing harassment in the area, noting that less than 24 hours after Bamidele’s death, police officers were seen extorting and harassing students on the same route. The SUG condemned these actions and the perceived lack of genuine effort by the police to resolve the case.

The SUG has laid out several demands, including:

1. Public Unveiling of the Officers Involved: The union calls for a public parade of the officers responsible for the murder, emphasizing that such actions are a common practice in Nigeria and crucial for regaining public trust.

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2. Open Investigation: The SUG demands a transparent investigation without any secrecy. They urge the use of CCTV footage from nearby buildings to aid the investigation and warn against any delay tactics.

3. Immediate Halt to Police Harassment: The union calls for an end to stop-and-search operations along the Post Office/Polytechnic routes, which have become notorious for police brutality and extortion. They also demand a ban on police officers checking cell phones on highways.

4. Payment of Restitution to the Family: The SUG demands that the Kwara State Police Command provide comprehensive support to Bamidele’s family, including monetary compensation, trauma counseling, and the establishment of a scholarship scheme for the deceased’s siblings.

The SUG’s demands reflect a broader concern about police conduct and the need for accountability and justice in the wake of tragic incidents involving law enforcement. The union remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that similar occurrences are prevented in the future.