Ajayi Crowther University students beat colleague to death over alleged phone theft

A 200-level student of the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in Oyo State, identified as Alex Timileyin, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of students for allegedly stealing a mobile phone. 

The incident happened inside a hostel known as Shepherd Inn on the school premises on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

It was gathered that the deceased was also said to have had his hair forcefully shaved by the students.

A source in the school who spoke to the Punch on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said that the deceased was beaten from 6pm on Friday to about 10am on Saturday. 

“They said they caught him with a stolen phone. They started beating him from 6pm yesterday (Friday) until he died at about 10am today (Saturday). The incident happened at ‘Shepherd Inn’. It’s like a lodge or a hostel now. They also shaved the hair of the guy before beating him,” the source said.

A video sighted by LIB showed the deceased rolling on the floor while other students were beating him with sticks. 

Meanwhile, the management of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) has expelled the students of the institution who were involved in the death of a fellow student. 

The expulsion was made known in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the institution, Femi Atoyebi, on Saturday, May 25. 

The University stated that contrary to what has been trending, cultism is non-existent in the institution, just as it stressed its zero tolerance for any sort of anti-societal vices and misconduct.

“Contrary to what is trending, the university affirms that there is no cultism in the institution, just as the university has zero tolerance for any sort of anti-societal vices and misconduct,” the statement read.

“It is important to stress that the expelled students do not belong to any cult group.”

In addition to the expulsion, the University has handed all the students involved over to detectives in Oyo State Police Command for investigation.