*SUG mourns
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
After collecting N5 million, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Tuesday night, reportedly shot dead the Ladoke Akintola University female final year student, Rachel Opatola abducted last Thursday and two others in the hideout.
New Nigerian learnt that the two others purportedly killed by the gunmen with the final year student and the owner of the hotel where she was kidnapped, included an Okada operator.
It was gathered that the suspected kidnappers reportedly shot dead Rachel, the hotelier identified as Olugbenga Owolabi and the Okada operator few minutes after the N5 million ransom was delivered to them at their hideout.
According to sources, the kidnappers may have resolved into killing the final year student and the two others after suspecting that security operatives were on their trail in connivance with the Okada operator that brought the N5 million ransom.
The N5 million ransom was reportedly taken to the kidnappers on Tuesday night at Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road around Igbon area where kidnappers reportedly counted the money and confirmed it, before opening fire on the final year student, the hotelier and the Okada operator.
However, a middle aged man said to be on the motorcycle with the Okada operator reportedly escaped with bullet wounds and is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Ogbomoso.
Students Union Government (SUG) of LAUTECH in a statement late Wednesday, confirmed the death of Rachel.
The statement was signed by its President, Anuoluwa Adeboye and General Secretary, Okiki Ibrahim Opaleke.
The SUG in the statement, blamed the untimely killing of Rachel on what they termed uncaring attitude of the government and authorities of LAUTECH, saying, ” we cried out but unfortunately, it ended just on the walls of social media platforms because we are mere students whose lives mean nothing to the Government.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the gruesome killing of our dear student, Rachael, a final year student of LAUTECH, that was kidnapped where she was working in Ogbomoso due to ASUU strike on behalf of the entire students of LAUTECH”, it said
LAUTECH SUG added, ” we were consumed when we first heard about her kidnap and we led the team to write to governments, security operatives, and all concerned stakeholders to see to her release without her dying. It’s so disheartening and terrible to have heard her of her death in the early hours of today.
” Our hearts are bleeding. Despite the notice to the government, security operatives and all other stakeholders, there was no known form of genuine commitment demonstrated by all of them in addressing this ugly trend in our community and the state.
” Our cries and calls have generated nothing else than more pains, hurt, fears, sorrow, and endless lamentation. If we have government or community stakeholders that can respond swiftly to that unfortunate incident, her killing would have been prevented. This is no doubt an affirmation of the saying that ‘all animals are not equal’. Because if it were to be your daughter that was kidnapped, nothing of this unfortunate event would have happened. As a matter of urgency, the federal and state governments should prioritize our safety and security.”
The students maintained, ” we call on the government to administer justice to Rachael. The government should act fast and let justice be served. As a matter of urgency, we are challenging the government to present to the public the killer(s) of our dear colleague. Enough of killing innocent Nigerians. We won’t continue to fold our arms while the government continues to be lackadaisical about the security matters in our community”.
” Our warmest condolences are with the family, friends, and well-wishers of Rachael Opadele. All Ladoke Akintola University of Technology students mourn with you for we are in this together. May the Good Lord comfort us all. May justice be granted for our loss!”
