Tension has continued to mount in Ijebu-Jesa following the tragic death of a student of Kanmi Alo Interlink Polytechnic, with student leaders and stakeholders demanding justice, institutional reforms, and the immediate release of students reportedly arrested during protests over the incident.
The call was made in a statement issued by Comrade Senator Ajibade Daniel Kehinde, Emeritus Students’ Union Government President of Osun State College of Technology, after the death of Adetifa Oluwaseun, popularly known among students as “Jagun Jagun.”
Adetifa, an ND II Mass Communication student of the institution, reportedly died in a fatal road accident on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, while allegedly travelling to Ilesa to complete payment of an outstanding ₦5,000 balance of his school fees.
According to reports contained in the statement, the deceased had already paid a substantial part of his tuition and appealed to school authorities for permission to sit for his examination while promising to complete the remaining balance later.
However, he was allegedly denied access to the examination hall and instructed to travel to Ilesa to finalize the payment process before being allowed to participate in the examination.
The statement alleged that while making the trip, the student was involved in a road accident that claimed his life instantly, a development that has triggered anger and emotional reactions across the student community.
The incident has since sparked wider debates about student welfare, institutional policies, and the risks associated with payment systems that allegedly require students to travel outside campus for financial transactions.
According to Ajibade, the tragedy exposed serious structural challenges within the institution’s payment process and underscored the urgent need for safer, more accessible alternatives for students.
“This unfortunate incident has raised serious concerns about the institution’s payment structure and the safety of students who are compelled to travel for routine financial processes,” the statement noted.
Following the student’s death, aggrieved students reportedly staged protests demanding accountability and justice for their deceased colleague.
However, reports indicated that some students involved in the demonstrations were later arrested by security operatives, a development that has further escalated tension within the institution and among student activists.
Among those reportedly arrested was Amos Pelumi John, an HND I Mass Communication student, who was said to have been arraigned before a court in connection with the protests.
The statement also claimed that allegations of kidnapping were linked to the student, accusations which many students reportedly described as unclear and questionable.
Another student, identified as Timileyin Oni Ige, an ND II Science Laboratory Technology student, was also reportedly arrested on Friday, May 15, 2026, in connection with the unrest that followed the tragedy.
According to the statement, the driver involved in the accident allegedly demanded compensation for damages sustained by his vehicle during the protests, a situation said to have contributed to subsequent arrests.
Ajibade condemned what he described as attempts to silence students who were merely demanding accountability and justice over the death of their colleague.
He also expressed concern over the absence of a functional Students’ Union Government within the institution, arguing that students currently lack adequate representation during periods of crisis and conflict.
The statement outlined several demands, including the immediate release of all arrested students, the immortalization of Adetifa Oluwaseun, the establishment of an independent Students’ Union Government, and the introduction of an online payment platform or functional banking outlet within the campus to reduce unnecessary travel risks for students.
Ajibade further called on the Osun State Government, security agencies, school management, and human rights organizations to intervene and ensure the protection of students’ rights and welfare.
Copies of the statement were reportedly forwarded to the Governor of Osun State, the Commissioner for Education, and the Commissioner of Police in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of Kanmi Alo Interlink Polytechnic had not officially responded to the allegations surrounding the incident.
