Phone Theft: Activist petitions Makinde, demands justice for varsity student beaten to death

An activist from Itsekiri in the Warri Kingdom, Delta State identified as ‘Lord Of Warri’ has written an open letter to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, demanding justice for the murder of one Alex Timileyi, a Prince of Warri Kingdom.

Timileyi, a student of the Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo State, was allegedly beaten to death inside a hostel known as Shepherd Inn on the school premises by a group of students for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.

However, in a tweet on Sunday, the Itsekiri activist noted, in a letter titled, “An open letter to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State: Regarding the tragic murder of Prince Alex Timileyi of the Warri Kingdom at Crowther University, Oyo State,” that the slain student, Timileyi, was a first cousin to the Olu of Warri, Ogíamè Atuwatsé III.

The letter was copied to the X handles of the state governor, the Nigeria Police, President Bola Tinubu, and the Department of State Services, among others.

The activist, tweeting as #Lord_Of_Warri, lamented that the death of the student had left an indelible mark on the Itsekiri people, urging the governor to “ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.”

The tweet partly read, “I am writing to bring to your attention the tragic and brutal murder of a Prince from the Warri Kingdom at Crowther University in Oyo State. The Prince, Alex Timileyi, was the son of Princess Antonia Emiko, daughter of Olu Erejuwa II (1951-1986), and an aunt of the current Olu of Warri. He was also a first cousin of His Majesty, Ogíamè Atuwatsé III, the Olú of Warri Kingdom.

“This incident has left us deeply saddened and concerned about the safety and security of students in schools not just in Oyo State, but in Nigeria as a whole. As Itsekiri people, we appeal to you, the Governor of Oyo State, Makinde, to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.”