The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Joint Campus Council (JCC), has demanded an independent investigation into the death of Taiwo Godwin, a student of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, while distancing itself from a planned protest over the incident.
The council urged the hospital management to engage student representatives in dialogue and address their concerns, insisting that transparency and accountability were necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Habeebullahi Adekunle Tijani, NANS Ogun JCC clarified that it had neither authorised nor planned any protest over the incident.
The council urged the Students’ Union and other recognised student unions in the institution to meet with the hospital management, present their demands and seek clarification on the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death.
It also called on the management to listen to the students, engage them constructively and treat their concerns with the seriousness and urgency they deserved.
According to the statement, direct engagement between the student unions and the hospital management, alongside a transparent investigation, would help establish the facts, promote accountability and prevent further tension.
Tijani thus warned individuals and groups against exploiting the incident for personal financial gain, stressing that the student’s death should not be used as a pretext for extortion, intimidation or other selfish interests.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NANS Ogun State JCC is not planning or authorising any protest over this incident. Any individuals or groups organising or threatening protests in the name of NANS Ogun JCC without the authorisation of its recognised leadership do not represent the Council or its position,” the statement said.
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The council also called on relevant security agencies to remain vigilant and take lawful measures against anyone seeking to exploit the situation to cause disorder, engage in extortion or undermine peace and security in Ogun State.
It reiterated that the immediate priority should be a meeting involving the students’ union, other recognised student unions and the hospital management, with the management demonstrating a genuine willingness to address the students’ concerns.
“Students must be heard, accountability must be pursued, and the peace of Ogun State must be protected,” the council stated.
Meanwhile, the management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has announced the commencement of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the hospital expressed sadness over the student’s death, which occurred while he was receiving treatment at its General Medical Practice Unit.
The management assured students, staff members and the public that the investigation would follow established procedures and be conducted thoroughly, impartially and transparently.
The statement, signed by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiola Ajibola, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director, said the management was committed to expediting the investigation.
It added that all necessary measures would be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified and ensure justice.
“We further assure all concerned that every necessary step will be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified, and ensure that justice is served,” the statement read.
