A single suspect has been apprehended in connection with the murder of a student from the Federal Polytechnic Offa by the police.

Ilorin— Mr. Victor Olaiya, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, has announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the murder of Miss Toyin Bamidele, a Higher National Diploma (HND) 1 female student at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday evening at her residence in Dampson hostel, Atari area of the mini campus in Offa township. The assailants, suspected to be cultists, reportedly hacked the Food Science and Technology Department student to death.

In a statement to journalists in Ilorin, the Police Commissioner disclosed that the arrested suspect is currently aiding the investigation. The police expressed their determination to uncover the truth behind the crime.

According to the Police Commissioner, the lifeless body of the victim was discovered in a pool of blood at her rented apartment premises. The statement read, “Kwara State Police command through the Divisional Police Headquarters, Offa, received information on November 16, 2023, at 1720Hrs to the effect that an HND 1 student of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, named Toyin Bamidele, ‘female,’ resident at Dapson Extension Area, Offa, aged 23 years, studying Food Technology, was found lying in a pool of blood at the premises of her rented apartment.

“On receipt of the information, a team of investigators, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Offa Division, was dispatched to the scene of the incident. Preliminary investigation at the scene revealed some marks of violence on the face and neck regions of the body. The body was removed to Wale Clinic and Hospital, where the deceased was certified dead by a medical practitioner. The body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

“One suspect has been apprehended in connection with the case. He is presently helping the Police in investigation.

“The command wishes to advise members of the public to be conscious and vigilant during this period, as evil men are prowling looking for what and who to devour.

“The command would not relent in her onerous duty to ensure the safety and security of citizens and their property. While reiterating the determination of the command to get to the root of this crime.”

Meanwhile, the Committee of Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Kwara State, has strongly condemned the killing of Miss Toyin Bamidele, describing it as devilish, barbaric, and dastardly gruesome, uncalled for, and unacceptable.

In a statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Akintunde Diya, it appealed to students of the polytechnic to remain calm and resolute in their pursuit of learning and good character.

CDHR also called for an immediate investigation “to unravel the circumstances and fish out the culprits.

“We, therefore, call on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Victor Olaiya, and other security agencies to urgently swing into action and bring out the perpetrators of this evil act from their hideouts.”