The Ekiti State Police Command has announced the arrest of ten suspects in connection with the murder of Modupe Atanda Deborah, a 200-level nursing student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).
Modupe Atanda Deborah, who was declared missing within the campus on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, was found dead in a shallow grave about 30 metres behind the Nursing lecture hall on Wednesday.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Abutu Sunday, who confirmed the latest development in a statement on Thursday, September 7, said the suspects are currently in custody undergoing investigation.
According to the PPRO, the state Commissioner of Police, has ordered a discreet investigation into the cause of Atanda’s death.
“This is to inform the general public that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, *CP OGUNDARE DARE*, has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the death of one *ATANDA MODUPE DEBORAH*, a 200-level nursing student of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), who was declared missing within the school premises on 5/09/2023 but found dead in a shallow grave at a distance of about 30 meters behind the nursing Lecture Hall,” the statement read.
“While appealing to everyone to be calm, the Commissioner vows that the Command will do everything possible to unearth the identity of the perpetrator(s) and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The Command enjoins anyone with useful information concerning the ugly incident to visit Oye Divisional Police Headquarters, Oye-Ekiti, or State CIID or call 09064050086/08053499199
“Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue for autopsy while 10 suspects are currently in custody undergoing investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Students’ Union of the Federal University of Oye, Ekiti State has reacted to the news of the death of Atanda.
While confirming the death, the Students’ Union Government dismissed reports that her body was mutilated.
The 100-level student of the institution went missing after she went to study in the class on Monday night, September 4, 2023.
After days of searching for her, her body was found buried in a shallow grave behind her faculty on Wednesday, September 6. Unconfirmed reports had claimed that her eyes were plucked out by those who killed and buried her.
However, in a statement released, the school authorities said they visited the morgue where her body was deposited and can confirm that no part of her body was mutilated.
Part of the statement reads:
“The cause of death and manner in which she died is a thing of great pain to the entire student populace of FUOYE. As we say our goodbyes to a precious and bright student such as MODUPE, members of the FUOYE STUDENT UNION GOVERNMENT (FUOYESUG) visited the morgue and we were able to confirm to everyone that no part of her body was mutilated contrary to claims and rumors flying around, we can confirm that not less than twelve(12) people have been arrested in connection with the crime and we would not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice”.
