Oyo State, Nigeria – Nigerians have taken to the microblogging site X.com to express their shock, anger, and disbelief over the brutal death of Alex Timileyi, a 200-level engineering student at Ajayi Crowther University. Timileyi was reportedly beaten to death by fellow students on Saturday following accusations of stealing a mobile phone.
The tragic incident occurred inside a hostel known as Shepherd Inn on the university campus. According to reports, Timileyi was allegedly caught with the stolen phone and subsequently subjected to a violent attack that began at 6 p.m. on Friday and continued until 10 a.m. on Saturday. During this period, his attackers also forcibly shaved his hair.
Eyewitnesses provided videos showing the deceased being beaten with sticks and other objects. In one of the videos, a student can be heard urging others to hit Timileyi “harder, harder.”
In response to the incident, Ajayi Crowther University announced the expulsion of the students involved and handed them over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation. The university’s spokesperson, Femi Atoyebi, clarified that the expelled students were not part of any cult group, refuting online rumors. Atoyebi described the incident as “the unfortunate death of the student” and emphasized the university’s zero tolerance for any form of anti-social behavior.
However, the news has sparked widespread calls for justice on social media. Activists, including one identified as @Lord_of_Warri, have urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure the perpetrators face the full extent of the law. @Lord_of_Warri described the deceased as a prince and first cousin to the Olú of Warri Kingdom, Ogíamè Atuwatsé III, and highlighted the deep impact of the tragedy on the Itsekiri people.
Various social media users expressed their horror and called for better handling of such incidents. @Jessica_Egbedi questioned why the accused was not handed over to university authorities, while @Jojo_Amandy compared the suspects to Boko Haram militants, criticizing the prevalence of lawlessness.
The incident has also raised concerns about the management and safety protocols within the university, with calls for thorough investigations into the handling of student affairs and hostel management.
As the community mourns, there is a collective demand for justice and accountability to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
