The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has addressed the controversy surrounding the tragic killing of Iyanda Damilola. In a statement released on Thursday, the university clarified that Damilola was not a student of the institution, contrary to media reports.
The incident took place during a dispute at a nightclub in Ogbomoso, where Damilola, reportedly a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was allegedly shot by a police officer. Oluwafemi Iyanda, the brother of the deceased, who had graduated from LAUTECH, stated that they had attended his convocation before going to an after-party on the day of the incident.
However, Akin Fadeyi, the Public Relations Officer of LAUTECH, explained that the unfortunate event did not occur on the university premises during the 16th convocation ceremony. He clarified that the incident took place around 2 am in a club, emphasizing that LAUTECH does not have a club or hotel.
“There was a fight, and the student who was killed was not our student. So, what happened had nothing to do with LAUTECH. It has nothing to do with our convocation. According to information from the town, some people got involved in an altercation at a nightclub, far from the university premises, during which one of them was killed,” Fadeyi stated.
Meanwhile, the police officers involved have been detained by the state police authorities. The Oyo State Police Command reported that the officers were deployed to the nightclub to quell a disturbance that had erupted during the party. According to the command’s spokesperson, Osifeso Adewale, the situation escalated, leading the officers to fire “warning shots” that unfortunately resulted in a fatality.
“The incident led to the death of one Iyanda Damilola and the injury of his brother, Iyanda Femi Israel, who has since been discharged from the hospital after treatment.
All operatives involved in the incident, including Inspector Rasheed Saheed, are currently under detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Iyaganku,” Osifeso stated in a Thursday press release.