The National Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS, on Monday took to the Mowe Axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to protest the disappearance of Quadri Ogunbode, a 28-year-old Political Science Education graduate of Lagos State University, Ojo.
The students, who were armed with placards and chanting solidarity songs while demanding justice, asked the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Ogunbode, an indigene of Ogun State, was reportedly kidnapped on January 16, 2025, in a neighborhood very close to a Celestial Church around the LASU community in Lagos.
He is a 2024 graduate of the institution and is supposed to be part of the 28th Convocation Ceremony of the institution, set for April 3–10, 2025.
DAILY POST reported that the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday confirmed that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the case, including a prophet.
However, the protesting students noted that the demonstration was organized to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to the matter, which has left the parents of the victim in agony and despair.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the protest, the NAOSS National President, Kehinde Thomas, lamented that the student body is unsatisfied with the slow pace of the police investigation.
Thomas maintained that since Quadri’s disappearance, his parents, especially his mother, have been in anguish and psychological trauma.
He said, “We, the leaders and members of the National Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS, and the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Stakeholders in the state, are here this morning with heavy hearts. Heavy hearts, I say, because one of our NAOSS members and a graduate of Lagos State University, Ojo, Quadri Ogunbode, is missing and probably not alive as we speak.
“Quadri, a forward-looking, hardworking, and cool-headed Nigerian, disappeared mysteriously on January 17, 2025, a few seconds after he spoke with his girlfriend on the phone. This incident, according to our findings, happened in a neighborhood very close to a Celestial Church around the LASU community in Lagos.
“We have temporarily blocked this busiest expressway in the country in order to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, who is also an indigene of Ogun State, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and order a special investigation into the case of the alleged kidnapping and possible murder of Quadri Ogunbode.
“This call on the IGP, who is also a parent, to intervene in the matter has become imperative after police complicity and compromise were perceived.
“Quadri is a member of NAOSS; hence, we are appealing passionately to the IGP to use his office, manpower, and technology to unravel the disappearance of this affable and brilliant LASU graduate. We are not hoodlums but students who are legitimately demanding justice and saying no to police complicity in this matter.
“As an umbrella body of all Ogun State students, NAOSS cannot sit idly by and watch this matter be swept under the carpet. We will not fold our arms and allow Quadri’s case to join the swelling number of unresolved disappearance or murder cases in the country.
“While we are optimistic that the intervention of the IGP will yield a fruitful result, NAOSS will not relent in continuing to explore all legal means to mobilize relevant stakeholders to take action on the matter.
“While we thank members of the press for their efforts in getting to the root of this matter, our association shall not rest until the matter is resolved. Remember, an injury to one is an injury to all.” Thomas added.
