Nigeria: Gunshots during UNILAG’s convocation: three students arrested

Three undergraduates of the University of Lagos and another unidentified visitor to the institution have been arrested by the Lagos Police Command for allegedly being members of a cult group.

The students- Fehintola Oluwatobi, a 400 level Biochemistry student; Sunday Fatoki, a 300 level Biochemistry student; and Omotola, a 300 level Biology student, were allegedly arrested at the university on February 7, 2013.


Our source gathered that the arrests were prompted by some gunshots heard during the school’s convocation on February 5.

A student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “On the first day of the convocation, we heard gunshots around Amina Hall, near the Faculty of Education.

“Some policemen who were within campus at the time assisted the school security and arrested one of the suspects.

 “The suspect was arrested with a locally-made gun and later handed over to the University Security officials who later handed them over to the Sabo police division.”

However, sources say that six more students were arrested at about 2.00am on February 7 by the school’s hostel security.

A source said, “I learnt the boys were all asleep when the hostel security men barged into their room. They were first taken to the school security post and questioned. Eventually, three of them were later released while the remaining were detained. After some hours, they were taken to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Ikeja and have been there ever since.”

UNILAG Dean of Students, Prof Kayode Amud, when contacted said, “I heard just like you that some students were arrested during the convocation week. As I am yet to get full details of that report, I cannot say for certain that the persons in question are actually students of the university.”

Some police officers told our source on the condition of anonymity that the students were indeed cultists.

One of them said, “All the suspects in custody are members of the same cult. A certain Opeyemi was the first to be arrested. Subsequent investigations revealed that that Oluwatobi, Fatoki and Omotola were also cult members.

“They were arrested with two knives and one iron bar. Fatoki in particular was formerly a student of the school until he was dismissed several years ago.  It was the university authorities who transferred the students with the exhibits.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said, “Three students were actually handed over to the Lagos Police Command by the UNILAG authorities.

“They are suspected cult members because some knives and charms were found in their possession.

“Investigation is ongoing concerning their activities on campus. The fourth suspect was arrested by the Sabo Police division and was later transferred to SARS.”