A student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State whose name was given as Happiness Odeh has been reportedly murdered by kidnappers who abducted her a few days ago.
On August 3rd, Happiness, who emerged winner at the MAPOLY beauty contest, was reportedly kidnapped while she was heading to Ipara, in Ode Remo on Tuesday evening.
This was verified by the institution’s management and the students’ union management on Saturday. Ms. Odeh’s remains was reportedly discovered in a bush on Thursday at Iperu Remo where the abductors left her.
The victim went missing while going along Iperu road on her way to a cinema, according to a statement issued by the union’s president, Sodiq Ajani, and the public relations officer, Joy Okolie.
The statement partly reads, ‘Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Students Union (MAPSU) announces the untimely death of Miss Happiness Odeh, a Mass Communication student of MAPOLY.’
‘Contrary to the rumors flying around, her death is not related to her status as the new Miss MAPOLY. She won the award on the 3rd of August and the movie location she attended has nothing to do with the beauty pageantry on campus.’
‘We commiserate with her family, friends and colleagues. May Almighty God grant us all the fortitude to bear this painful loss. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,’ the message reads.
The union President added that the body of the slain student had been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.
Mr. Ajani sadly said: ‘It was so pathetic. The kidnappers killed her and went away with her phone. Her body was found inside the bush along Iperu road. The body has been deposited at the mortuary. We were at the hospital yesterday (Friday) with the parents. May God rest her soul.’
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls on his phone.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Polytechnic, Yemi Ajibola, confirmed the incident.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, Mr. Ajibola advised students to stop taking bikes to isolated places, especially at night.
Mr. Ajibola added that, ‘The police are on top of the matter and they are seriously working to ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act are apprehended and by God’s grace they shall all be brought to book.’
Africa Today News, New York