The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied having a hand in the death of a student of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Escapade, Aiyepe Annexe, Pelumi David Idowu.
The NYSV Coordinator in Ogun State, Mrs Olayinka Nasamu, on Wednesday, said the NYSC knows nothing about a hit-and-run driver who crushed Idowu to death in front of its orientation ramp along Sagamu-Ikenne road last week Monday.
The driver who fled after the tragic incident had reportedly hit the motorcycle carrying Idowu from the back, killing both the student and the bike man on the spot.
Students in Ogun State, under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOGSS) had on Tuesday protested Idowu’s death, alleging foul play and cover-up of the fleeing driver by Nasamu.
The students protested at the Ogun State Police Command, alleging that the driver of the car which killed Idowu and the motorcyclist was one Ojo Aina who is an NYSC official.
The protesting students also alleged that Aina after running over the deceased allegedly ran into the NYSC orientation camp in Ogun State for protection.
Nasamu reacted and spoke to newsmen in her office, explaining that the whole allegations were baseless, unfounded and a figment of the imagination of the students’ bodies.
She commiserated with the family of the deceased and the Students Union Government (SUG) of the Gateway Polytechnic.
“First and foremost, I want to extend my condolences, on behalf of the NYSC as a responsible organisation and myself as a mother, to the families of the victims affected by this unfortunate incident,” Nasamu said.
“May they find strength and comfort in this difficult time. We also condole with the Student Union Government (SUG) and the entire Gateway Polytechnic community.
“After a thorough investigation conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force in Ogun State, I am pleased to inform you that the NYSC has been cleared of any wrongdoing in this matter.”
Nasamu also revealed that the Student Union President, rector, and Dean of Student Affairs of Gateway Polytechnic have acknowledged their mistake and have formally tendered their apology for the wrongful accusations made against the NYSC.
“They have committed to issuing a public rejoinder to address and correct the damaging story circulating in the media space,” she said.
“Furthermore, the student body of Gateway Polytechnic has distanced itself from the group responsible for staging the protest at the Ogun State Police Headquarters yesterday morning.
“We have the official reports from the DSS and the press release from the Student Union President for your reference.”
