Scores of students under the umbrella of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), on Monday, protested the “disappearance” of a 2024 graduate of Lagos State University, Quadri Ogunbode, by blocking the Mowe axis on the Lagos-Ibadan highway.
The National President of the student body, Comrade Kehinde Thomas, while addressing journalists, said the protest was carried out to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police, IG Kayode Egbetokun, to the matter and the need to unravel the sudden disappearance of Ogunbode.
The student leader said NAOSS is not happy with the slow pace at which the Police are investigating the matter, considering the agony his parents, family, and friends are subjected to.
The protest, which lasted for more than an hour, left motorists stranded as the students demanded justice in the matter.
The Nigerian Tribune recalled that Ogunbode, a graduate of Political Science/Education from LASU, was reported to have disappeared on 17 February 2025 at a location very close to a Celestial Church in the university neighbourhood.
It was gathered that two suspects, including a Shepherd in charge of a Celestial Church and one other, were in police custody following a preliminary investigation.
“We, the leaders and members of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) stakeholders in the state, are here this morning with heavy hearts. Heavy hearts I say because one of our NAOSS members and a graduate of Lagos State University, Ojo, Quadri Ogunbode, is missing and probably not alive as we speak.
“Quadri, a forward-looking, hardworking, and cool-headed Nigerian, disappeared mysteriously on 17 February 2025, a few seconds after he spoke with his girlfriend on the phone. This incident, according to our findings, happened in a neighbourhood very close to a Celestial Church around LASU Community in Lagos.
“We temporarily block this busiest expressway in the country in order to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, who is also an indigene of Ogun State, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and order a special investigation into the case of the alleged kidnapping and possible murder of Quadri Ogunbode.
“This call on the IGP, who is also a parent, to intervene in the matter had become imperative after police complicity and compromise was perceived.
“Quadri is a member of NAOSS, hence, we are appealing passionately to the IGP to use his office, manpower, and technology to unravel the disappearance of this affable and brilliant LASU graduate.
“We are not hoodlums, but students who are legitimately demanding justice and saying no to police complicity in this matter.
“As an umbrella body of all Ogun State students, NAOSS cannot sit idly and watch the matter be swept under the carpet. We will not fold our arms and allow Quadri’s matter to join the swelling number of unresolved disappearance or murder cases in the country.
“While we are optimistic that the intervention of the IGP will yield a fruitful result, NAOSS will not relent in continuing to explore all legal means to mobilise relevant stakeholders to take action on the matter.
“The anguish and psychological trauma parents of Quadri are going through are better imagined than experienced.
“While we thank members of the press for their efforts in getting to the root of this matter, our association shall not rest until the matter is resolved. Remember, an injury to one is an injury to all,” the NAOSS President said.
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