NYSC clears self of wrongdoing in Ogun poly student’s death

Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, Ogun State, Mrs Olayinka Nasamu.

The Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, Ogun State, Mrs Olayinka Nasamu, on Wednesday said it knew nothing over a hit-and-run driver who crushed to death a student of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Aiyepe Annexe, Pelumi David Idowu, in front of the Orientation Camp along the Sagamu-Ikenne Road last Monday.

The fleeing driver had reportedly hit the motorcyclist carrying Idowu from the back killing both the student and the motorcyclist on the spot.

Students in Ogun State, under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students and National Association of Ogun State Students had on Tuesday protested the death of the student alleging cover-up of the culprit by the state coordinator of the NYSC.

The students who took their protest to the Ogun State Police Command had alleged that the driver of the car was one Ojo Aina, an NYSC official who after running over the deceased allegedly ran into the orientation camp for cover-up.

While addressing journalists in her office on Wednesday, Nasamu described the whole allegations as baseless, unfounded and figment of imagination of the students’ bodies.

Nasamu while commiserating with the family of the deceased and the Students Union Government of the polytechnic explained that as a mother and head of a Federal Government agency that prioritises the security and development of the Nigerian youth, she could not have supported anything to obstruct the path of justice.

The coordinator disclosed that the reports of the security agencies including the DSS and the police had cleared the corps of any wrongdoing and stating that the NYSC knew nothing about the incident.

She said, “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.

“May they find strength and comfort in this difficult time. We also condole with the Student Union Government and the entire Gateway Polytechnic community.

“After a thorough investigation conducted by the Department of State Services 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.”

She said that even the management of the polytechnic led by the Rector and the Students Union President had equally visited her office to apologise to the NYSC on the wrong accusation.

Nasamu explained that the student body of the polytechnic had also distanced itself from the group responsible for staging the protest at the Ogun Police headquarters on Tuesday and had equally issues a statement to distance themselves from such less noble act.

“The Student Union President, Rector, and Dean of Student Affairs of Gateway Polytechnic have acknowledged the mistake and have formally apologised 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.

“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.”

The coordinator said the Ojo Aina the students were wrongly accusing is indeed a worker of the agency but was only called upon after the accident happened and had driven his car to the gate from inside the camp to attend to the incident only for the students to jump on him as the driver of the car which killed the deceased.