Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
In a shocking turn of events, the landlord arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of two students from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has died while in police custody. The deceased, whose identity is being withheld pending official confirmation, was reportedly being held at a detention facility in Ondo State when he suddenly passed away under circumstances that have raised serious questions.
The landlord had been apprehended earlier this month after the decomposing bodies of the two missing female students were discovered buried in a shallow grave within the premises of his rented apartment. The discovery sparked outrage across the state and beyond, with students, human rights activists, and members of the public demanding swift justice for the slain undergraduates.
Police sources revealed that the landlord was the prime suspect in the murder case, as preliminary investigations had linked him to the crime scene. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing the girls last entering his compound days before they were declared missing. Amid growing public pressure, the police assured the community that a full investigation was underway.
However, the suspect’s sudden death in custody has now thrown the case into confusion, sparking fresh outrage and suspicions of foul play. While police officials have stated that he “complained of severe illness” before collapsing, critics and civil society groups are calling for an independent inquiry into his death. Many are questioning whether due process was followed and whether the suspect may have been silenced before vital information could be extracted.
“This is a disturbing development,” said Barrister Tolu Akintunde, a human rights lawyer based in Akure. “We need to know if this was natural or if there were attempts to cover up something bigger. The families of the victims deserve to know the truth.”
Meanwhile, the families of the murdered students are left devastated and frustrated, fearing that justice may never be fully served. In a statement released by the university, FUTA condemned the tragic loss of its students and demanded a thorough, transparent investigation into both the original murders and the suspect’s death.
“This is not just about our students,” said a spokesperson for the school. “It is about the safety of all young Nigerians seeking an education and justice for crimes that cannot be swept under the rug.”
As tension builds, the Ondo State Police Command has promised to release the autopsy report of the suspect and reaffirmed its commitment to continue investigating all leads related to the case.
The community now watches anxiously, hoping the full truth will emerge—and that justice, though delayed, will not be denied.
