The authorities of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH), Ondo State, on Tuesday confirmed the death of a lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Science, Prof Gideon Okedayo, who was kidnapped last week by unknown gunmen.
Okedayo was said to have died in the captivity of his abductors with his decomposing body found in a bush in Edo state.
Confirming the death of the lecturer, the Chairman, Joint Action Committee of Staff Unions of the OSUSTECH, Mr Temidayo Temola, said the incident saddened all members of staff of the university.
Temola, who described the late university don as a peace-loving and generous person, said the sad news had thrown the whole campus into mourning.
He said, ” In fact, the death of Prof Okedayo is a big loss to this institution, we will really miss him.”
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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the OSUSTECH branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Dipo Akomolafe, said the union and the entire university community had been thrown into disarray and were saddened by the development.
He said “His decomposing body was found in the bush. This is so sad to ASUU and his family members because the abductors never called anybody, whether ASUU or Okedayo’s family for ransom.”
Okedayo and his driver were reportedly kidnapped by the gunmen on their way to Igara in Edo State, but the driver was later released after which he reported to the police.
The Edo State Police Command had earlier found Okedayo’s official vehicle, a Toyota Corolla car, few hours after the abduction.
However, it has not been confirmed whether the late lecturer was killed by the abductors or not as at the time of filing this report.