Kogi State University lecturer abducted, murdered

A Lecturer with the department of Agricultural Economics, Kogi State University, Dr Justice Olurotimi Otitolaiye has been killed by unknown gunmen who abducted him over the weekend while running a domestic errand for his family.

According to the information at the disposal of yabagionline.blogspot.com, the lecturer was abducted at about 9 pm on Friday, 21st of November, 2014 around the University Campus in Anyigba.

A colleague of the slain lecturer who spoke on the condition of anonymity told our reporter that Dr Otis, as he was popular referred to, was a man who` bore no grudge against anyone and maintained cordial relationship with all of his colleagues and students.

Reacting to the incident, the Dean, Faculty Agricultural Sciences, Professor Charles Oyewole, who described late Dr Otitoju as a lively man loved by all, wondered who could have been responsible for the dastardly act.

According to him, “Dr. Otis was a friendly person. Everyone that has had a contact with him can testify to that. Every student and staff of Kogi State University was a friend, brother and acquaintance as far as he was concerned. He had a nickname for everyone in the faculty and they had nicknames for him too.”

The 50 years old slain lecturer was supposed to go for the defense and consideration for Professorship on Monday, 24th of November, 2014 before the senate of Kogi State University.

On his part, a member of the university’s management who was part of the entourage that picked the remains of the deceased’s but does not want his name in prints, informed yabagionline.blogspot.com that the body was found at Ejule, a community not far away from Anyigba following a tip-off from good Samaritans.

He said the wife had earlier informed some of his colleagues that her husband was missing, but that upon investigation, it was confirmed that Dr Otitoju left his residence at around 3:00 pm and was seen in company of his friends at a drinking joint not far from the institution’s campus.

The informant added that the deceased then left the company of his friends for a shop to pick up bag Semovita Flour for his family. He added that it was while there that his kidnappers came and bundled him into their waiting vehicle.

“It was a moment after they had taken him away that one of the friends who was driving by, saw his car parked just across the road with the front door left open. So, when he came down from his own vehicle to try to find out what was going on that he found the car empty. He then raised alarm as to possible case of kidnap.

“What was not right, however, was that his phone was switched off. We tried reaching him severally, but the line was dead. We had hoped that the kidnappers would call and demand for a ransom, but the only call we got was the one that told us to come and identify his body. It is such sad and black day for us all in this institution.”

Speaking on the matter, a tears-drenched Stella Madu, one of the students of Agricultural Economics told our correspondent that the entire Kogi State University and the Faculty in particular, are going to miss the cheerful Dr Otitoju.

She added that: “The man was like a father to many of us.”

Meanwhile, the entire management of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, led by the Dean, has paid condolence visit to the family of the slain lecturer. They prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.

Consequently, the family has said they are in consultation with other members of the family in preparation for the burial of the slain lecturer. The burial date would be announced in due course.

Late Dr. Otitolaye is survived by a wife and 3 Children.