One Oyelade Habeeb Olawale, formerly a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, was killed on Tuesday afternoon during a clash between rival cult groups on the campus.
Vanguard learned that the confrontation began after one of the groups took a photo without permission, which sparked a dispute. The argument escalated into violence, with axes used in the fight, leading to the death of Oyelade, who was described as the leader of one of the rival cult groups.
The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, confirmed that Oyelade, a past student of the Civil Engineering Department, was killed during Tuesday’s cult-related attack.
Calling the event “unfortunate,” the institution’s management, through a statement issued by its public relations officer, Halimat Garba, noted that the school’s security team acted quickly and arrested several individuals connected to the incident. According to the statement released on Wednesday, the suspects have been turned over to the police.
The management strongly denounced all forms of violence and unlawful activities on or around the campus. It expressed condolences to the victim’s family and assured the public that the school environment remains safe.
The statement reads: “the management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, wish to inform the general public about the unfortunate incident that occurred on our campus earlier on, Tuesday, December, 2025.
”The incident, which involved a clash between former students affiliated with cult groups, has resulted in the loss of life of one Oyelade Habeeb Olawale, a former student of the Civil Engineering Department, with matriculation number ND/20/CEC/FT/206.
“The Polytechnic condemns in stronger terms any form of violence and illegal activities within and around the institution. We deeply regret the loss of life and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
“The management wish to state categorically that the Polytechnic security personnel have immediately responded to the situation through their intelligence, and several suspects believed to be connected to the incident have been apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigations.
“The management is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies to ensure justice is served.
“To this end, we are pleased to report that normalcy has returned to the campus, and the Polytechnic remains a safe environment for learning and personal development.
“All staff and students are hereby urged to continue their normal administrative and academic activities.
“The Polytechnic remains vigilant against any form of violence or cult-related activities and on-top of all security matters through its various security apparatus.
“We urge our students and the community to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities to help maintain peace and safety within our campus”.
