A member of the security team at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Oriyomi Fatai, was found dead in his apartment on Anigilaje Street, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, PUNCH Metro learnt on Sunday.

It was learnt that Fatai might have died from a fall, as his body was discovered in the apartment around 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Residents in the area where the body was found, noticed a foul odour coming from the apartment, prompting them to report it to a nearby police division.

While the police investigative team quickly responded and forced open the apartment’s door, PUNCH Metro learnt that Fatai’s lifeless body was found swollen, lying on the floor of the apartment.

The state command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, told our correspondent on Sunday that the crime scene assessment suggested the deceased might have fallen from a couch due to intoxication, as remnants of the alcohol he had consumed were found on the table.

Odutola said, “Residents noticed an unpleasant odour coming from the apartment of a co-tenant named Oriyomi Fatai. Our officers were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless, swollen body of the deceased in the room.

“The position in which he was found suggested that he might have fallen from the couch and hit his head on the ground due to suspected intoxication. Remnants of dry gin were found on the table. We also learnt that the deceased was a Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, staff member.

“The deceased’s family was notified, and they requested the return of Fatai’s body for burial, as no signs of foul play were found.”

Lilian Salami, the outgoing vice-chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), has recounted how students of the institution pelted her and forced her to read a script during a campus protest.

Protests have, on several occasions, erupted in UNIBEN over various issues affecting the student community on campus.

In October, the institution’s management appointed Edoba Omoregie, a specialist in constitutional law and governance, as the new VC of the institution to take over from Salami.

Salami, before exiting office, authored a memoir where she recounted lessons and experiences from her time governing the federal university.

Salami recalled that the varsity council had decided to raise the penalty for late payment of sessional fees, a move that prompted outrage on campus.

She recalled that all efforts by the dean of student affairs to quell the demonstrations were to no avail.

Salami said the institution’s chief security officer, the police divisional officer, and the area commander had visited and urged her to reverse the decision but she stood her ground.

“The students took to the expressway with musicians providing music for them and caterers cooking on the highway,” the outgoing VC narrated.

“On the third day, they had decided to abduct me, forcing me to come to the highway to address them. The DCP, DPO, as well as security officials, were in my house asking me to address the students, assuring me of my safety.

“By this time, the mob had pulled down my chain-wire fence and dragged me out of my official residence to force me to trek to the main gate.

“Somehow, some of them advised against trekking. So, I was allowed to ride in my Hilux van with students sitting on the hood, bonnet and windows.

“Guns were brandished and some were shown to me under their shirts. Finally, as I got to the main gate, I was forced to climb on the Hilux van and directed to repeat an address after one of the ring leaders, which I did.

“At that point, some pure water sachets were thrown at me. After reading the address and ensuring that the ICT unit had complied, I was let go. I was taken to the DPOs and then to the CP’s offices. The CP later booked my one-night stay in a hotel.”

Salami alleged that the cabals seeking to discredit her administration sponsored students and some academic staff to protest against her.

The purpose of the protest, she claimed, was to create the impression that she was inept and incapable of running the institution.

“They claim that in the past, they were adequately compensated with money, with some of them on the payroll, while others got cash for unexecuted contracts. Still, others were given admission and hostel accommodation slots in place of cash,” Salami recounted.

“A couple of groups had reached out to me to be educated and initiated into the cabal groups, which I politely declined.

“These were unarguably the platforms and persons who apparently might have vowed to continuously cause unrest during the tenure of my administration.”

In her memoir, Salami wrote that an investigation had indicated that her security was compromised, with some professors complicit.

Lilian Salami was slated to hand over office to her successor on December 1, ending her five-year tenure as VC.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Bauchi State-owned Sa’adu Zungur University has declared an indefinite strike.

Announcing the decision on Friday during a press conference held after a congress at the university’s Yuli campus, ASUU SAZU Chairperson, Auwal Nuhu, cited several reasons for the action.

These include the absence of pension and retirement schemes, poor working conditions, and unpaid earned academic allowances.

Auwal, who stated that the strike commenced on Friday, November 29, 2024, explained further that “The branch, at its congress meeting held on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the presence of the NEC visitation team reviewed the progress on its demonstration before the university.

“The congress noted the lack of readiness and commitment of the university administration and the government to attend to its demands

“The congress stressed that it has exhausted all mechanisms, and all attempts to get the authorities to attend to its demands which were fruitless.”

He added, “The congress passed a resolution for the branch to embark on comprehensive and indefinite strike action until further notice total.”

Auwal described the situation as “unbearable” and accused the university management and Bauchi State Government of failing to address longstanding grievances despite repeated calls for intervention.

“We cannot continue to work under these conditions. Our members are demoralised and left without any form of financial security after decades of service. This strike is a last resort after exhaustive dialogue and appeals,” ASUU SAZU chairperson stated.

He insisted that the strike will not end until tangible measures are taken to resolve their concerns.